‘Capability that matters’: submarine switch played down
The foreign minister said Australia simply buying used nuclear submarines from the US would not change the government’s commitment to the AUKUS pact.
The $368 billion plan involved Australia buying three nuclear submarines from the US (two used, one new Virginia-class ship) and then building its own submarine in Adelaide.
However, after changes to the agreement, Australia will now purchase three used submarines from the United States.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said it did not matter whether the submarines were used or new.
“Whether it’s two (used) and one (new) or three, it’s the talent that matters,” he told ABC Radio on Wednesday.
“Before the AUKUS submarines are delivered, we are asking the United States to take care of three submarines to fill the capacity gap… that is the plan.”
Australia chose to buy second-hand ships from the United States, defense officials have revealed in a federal budget inquiry.
Defense minister Meghan Quinn told the inquiry on Tuesday night that reforming the AUKUS treaty was a shared idea between Australia and the US.
“Australia’s position is that we would always… prefer the three submarines (submarines) in service,” he said.
“There are many reasons why the three submarines in service are simpler and less costly because of personnel training, sustainment arrangements, maintenance requirements and all those considerations.”
Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy said that the change to the AUKUS agreement does not mean a fundamental change in the security agreement.
“It will be cheaper, it will be easier to administer and it will be approved by the Pentagon overnight,” he told ABC Radio.
“We will buy the submarines… about six years into their 33-year life cycle. They will be cheaper, they will be truly effective at this stage, and we will buy the most capable nuclear-powered conventionally armed submarines in the world.”
Mr Conroy said Australia would save a “significant” amount by not buying a new submarine, but did not disclose the cost.
He denied that used submarines would be more costly to maintain in the long run.
The comments came after Labor backer and former minister Ed Husic called on the government to rethink the multibillion-dollar plan.
Mr Husic said on Tuesday that the deal also needed to be rethought because America had become a more unreliable ally.
“You wonder if we can get the deal even if it’s restructured,” the Western Sydney MP told reporters at Parliament House.
Senator Wong said the backbencher was entitled to his opinion on AUKUS.
“It is in our country’s interest that this project continues to move forward. We believe it is necessary for the security of Australia and we believe that cutting and changing will only set the country back,” he told ABC TV.
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