Albanese says Australian nuclear subs benefit US, UK

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said a deal to provide his country with nuclear-powered submarines will be the nation’s biggest change in defence capability in its history, adding the United States and Britain also plan to benefit from the partnership.

Albanese said the technology sharing among the AUKUS partners would bring benefits beyond submarines. A decision will be announced in March on how a fleet of Australian submarines powered with U.S. nuclear technology will be delivered under the AUKUS tripartite pact.Options include a next-generation U.S. Virginia-class sub, a British Astute-class or a new hybrid design.Australia currently spends 2.1% of its GDP on defence. The Prime Minister said defence spending would increase in the years ahead.