AUKUS 'Optimal Pathway' Announced: Submarines in Three Phases

Biden, UK PM Sunak, and Australian PM Albanese unveiled the three-phase AUKUS submarine plan: Phase 1 (from 2027)—US and UK nuclear-powered submarines rotate through HMAS Stirling, Western Australia; Phase 2 (early 2030s)—Australia purchases 3 Virginia-class SSNs from the US; Phase 3 (2040s)—first SSN-AUKUS class vessel, a trilateral design, built in both the UK and Australia. Total Australian program cost estimated at AUD $268–$368 billion.