Government splashes $12 billion in new AUKUS spend
Share and Follow

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will today announce a new $12 billion investment on a defence hub near Perth to build submarines under the AUKUS agreement.

The funding for the Henderson Defence Precinct, south of the WA capital, is about half the of what the facility will eventually need over the next decade to host and maintain nuclear-powered submarines.

Today’s announcement comes ahead of Albanese’s trip to the UN General Assembly in New York, and an anticipated potential meeting with US President Donald Trump.

A US Navy Virginia-class nuclear submarine. (US Dept of Defence) (US Department of Defence)

The prime minister is expected use that trip to secure Trump’s personal backing of the AUKUS pact, which is being reviewed by the Pentagon.

The defence agreement signed by Australia, the US and Britain was announced in 2021 to contend with growing Chinese military might in the Asia-Pacific region.

It would deliver Australia at least eight submarines, including three to five second-hand US Virginia-class submarines. Britain and Australia would cooperate to build their own SSN-AUKUS submarines.

But in June, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the Trump administration was launching a review into the AUKUS agreement.

There are concerns that the US won’t provide Australia with its first Virginia-class submarine by the early 2030s as planned because American submarine building is behind schedule.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a review of the AUKUS treaty. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf) (AP)

The federal government also hopes today’s announcement will ease US concerns Australia is not spending enough on defence.

US officials have been pushing Australia and other Western allies to lift their defence spending to take the load off the American military.

Australia currently spends about 2 per cent of GDP on its armed forces, but the US has urged a rise to 3.5 per cent. 

The Australian government confirmed in late July it had paid the Trump administration a second $800 million instalment on the AUKUS deal.

The first $800 million was paid in February.

The submarines are expected cost Australia up to $380 billion.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
'He held a knife over me': Grandmother describes confronting home invaders

Grandmother Recounts Harrowing Encounter with Armed Intruders

A Melbourne grandmother recounted a terrifying confrontation with armed intruders who broke…
Mum claims she used recalled sunscreen for two years before skin cancer

Mother Discovers Skin Cancer After Using Recalled Sunscreen for Two Years

Australia faces a growing controversy over sunscreens as a skin cancer patient…
Lisa Mott was last seen crossing a railway line in Forrest Street in Collie on October 30, 1980.

Revelations Emerge in One of Washington’s Longest-Standing Cold Cases

Western Australian detectives are reaching out to the public for assistance following…
England's woeful one-day record rolls on as Harry Brook's side fall to five-wicket defeat against New Zealand

England’s Struggles Continue with Five-Wicket Loss to New Zealand in One-Day Match

<!– Amidst the backdrop of England’s troubling one-day international record, Jofra Archer’s…
Hurricane Melissa churns across Cuba as Category 3 storm

Hurricane Melissa Strikes Cuba: Category 3 Storm Unleashes Powerful Winds and Torrential Rain

On Wednesday, Cuba undertook a massive evacuation effort, moving hundreds of thousands…
A Melbourne flight bound for Singapore is diverting back to Tullamarine airport after witnesses described seeing it flying low and dumping fuel.

Singapore Airlines Flight Makes Unscheduled Return to Melbourne Airport

A flight bound for Singapore has been forced to divert back to…
Rugby's 12 'next gen' stars you must watch this autumn - from England's young gem and a 20st All Black force to a future Scotland captain and France's 'perfect' new breakthrough wonderkid

Meet Rugby’s Rising Stars: 12 Must-Watch Talents This Autumn, Including England’s Promising Prodigy, a 20-Stone All Black Powerhouse, a Prospective Scotland Captain, and France’s Emerging Phenomenon

The upcoming month is set to be a paradise for rugby enthusiasts…
New Zealand couple's dreams come true as Hollywood star crashes their Hobbiton wedding

Hollywood Star Makes Surprise Appearance at New Zealand Couple’s Hobbiton Wedding

<!– <!– <!– <!– A couple in New Zealand experienced an unforgettable…