Marles points to savings after US downgrades AUKUS sub to second-hand version

Australia could still buy five US submarines if needed, defence minister says

Australia confirmed three second-hand Virginia-class submarines under AUKUS, down from a planned 3–5, but Defence Minister Marles says the option for two more remains open. Delivery hinges on US shipyard production rates—a supply-chain constraint that could delay handover and widen Australia's capability gap into the 2030s.