‘Shortcomings and failures’ could sink Aukus nuclear submarines plan, UK inquiry warns
A UK parliamentary defence committee has identified significant shortcomings in the delivery of the Aukus nuclear submarine project, warning these could prevent its success. The report highlights underfunding in UK shipbuilding and low submarine availability as critical risks. Australia's reliance on the UK and US for submarine capabilities means delays could leave it without a sovereign submarine force for the long term.
- ▪The UK’s submarine availability is critically low, with only one attack-class submarine at sea during a recent deployment to Australia.
- ▪Australia depends on the UK to design and build the SSN-Aukus submarine, and any failure or delay could undermine Australia’s long-term naval capability.
- ▪The US faces challenges in building enough Virginia-class submarines for its own needs, casting doubt on its ability to supply Australia as planned.
- ▪The Aukus project is expected to cost Australia up to A$368 billion by the mid-2050s.
- ▪Australia has committed A$4.6 billion to boost UK submarine-building capacity and has transferred nearly half a billion dollars to the UK Ministry of Defence.
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A UK defence committee’s inquiry has found ‘shortcomings and failings in the delivery of Aukus which threaten to prevent [the submarine project’s] promise becoming a reality’. Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAPView image in fullscreenA UK defence committee’s inquiry has found ‘shortcomings and failings in the delivery of Aukus which threaten to prevent [the submarine project’s] promise becoming a reality’. Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAPAukus‘Shortcomings and failures’ could sink Aukus nuclear submarines plan, UK inquiry warnsAustralia is dependent upon UK’s ability to deliver new submarines but report says ‘cracks are already beginning to show’Ben Doherty and Sarah Basford CanalesTue 28 Apr 2026 04.22 EDTFirst published on Mon 27 Apr 2026 20.58 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Guardian — World.
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