Jun 3, 2026 – 12.37pmFormer prime minister Scott Morrison says the updated plan for Australia to acquire three used Virginia-class submarines will simplify AUKUS, dismissing recent criticism of the nuclear-powered submarine project as coming from predictable quarters.The AUKUS nations on the weekend agreed on an updated plan to contain costs and streamline the historic security pact, revealing that the first three Australian purchases of US-built nuclear-powered submarines will be confined to three used vessels instead of two used and one new.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles