AUKUS Forum [conjecture] : The Virginia-class submarine is more than a marvel of engineering—it’s a cornerstone of allied deterrence. Under AUKUS, Australia will not only operate these nuclear-powered vessels—but potentially help build them. That’s a game-changer. Under the AUKUS agreement, Australia is set to acquire at least three Virginia-class submarines from the United States, with deliveries beginning in the early 2030s. But recent statements by U.S. officials and senators suggest a growing appetite for something more: enabling Australia to build Virginia-class submarines on home soil. U.S. Senators Mark Kelly and Todd Young talked about the bipartisan Ships for America Act and the benefits of building Virginia-class submarines in Australia as critical to the fight in the Western Pacific.

Virginia class submarine