Jun 10, 2026 – 4.50pmFormer ambassador to the United States Dennis Richardson has dismissed criticism of Australia’s acquisition of three second-hand nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS as a “beat-up”, as critics of the pact launch a fresh push to persuade the government to walk away from the deal.The AUKUS nations last month 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 would 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
Second-hand AUKUS subs row one of greatest beat-ups: Richardson
A former ambassador to the US has dismissed criticism of a change in the AUKUS pact, as critics launch a fresh push to walk away from the deal.
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