Australia unveils initial $2.8 billion for new N-subs facility

Canberra: Australia on Sunday unveiled AU$3.9 billion (US$2.8 billion) in funding as a "down payment" on a new facility to build nuclear-powered submarines under the trilateral AUKUS security pact with Britain and the United States.

The AUKUS agreement aims to equip Australia with a fleet of advanced US-designed submarines and expand cooperation on a range of defence technologies.

The submarines - with deliveries set to begin in 2032 - are central to Canberra's strategy to strengthen long-range strike capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, particularly amid concerns over China's military rise. The programme could cost Australia up to US$235 billion over the next three decades and includes technology transfers enabling the country to eventually build its own vessels.