Australia unveils initial US$2.8 billion for new nuclear subs facility

Australia unveiled US$2.8 billion in spending on Sunday as a down payment on a new facility to build nuclear submarines under the tripartite AUKUS security pact with Britain and the United States.

The AUKUS pact aims to arm Australia with a fleet of cutting-edge submarines from the United States and would provide for cooperation in developing an array of warfare technologies. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the investment in the Submarine Construction Yard is critical to delivering Australia's conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.