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Why is Australia buying used submarines? A naval expert answers key AUKUS questions
5 June 2026 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Conversation on 5 June 2026 Image: The Conversation (Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Minnesota, pictured here in Perth, is a Block II vessel.Colin Murty/AAP) Following the recent announcement that Australia would acquire three submarines already in US service rather than two used submarines and one new one, AUKUS has again dominated headlines. AUKUS is a defence capability agreement between the United States,
AUKUS Virginia-class switch is a fix, not a failure
4 June 2026 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Lowy Institute's The Interpreter on 4 June 2026 The announcement this week changed the mix of submarines Australia will receive – it did not change the program’s purpose, or its prospects. Image: United States Navy Virginia Class submarine USS Mississippi arrives at Fleet Base West, Rockingham, Western Australia for a routine port visit. Defence Images. Much of the reaction to this week’s AUKUS announcement that Austr
AUKUS is not on the rocks, despite the UK’s submarine troubles
14 January 2026 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Sydney Morning Herald online 14 January and in print on 15 January 2026 Image: 2021 British Nuclear Submarine, HMS Astute, is alongside at Fleet Base West, Rockingham in Western Australia. The submarine is part of a larger task group and is enjoying some well earned time off in the Perth area after more than seven months on deployment. Defence Images As with 2025 , early 2026 again sees AUKUS, Australia’s plan to
Effective anti-submarine warfare requires much more than submarines
7 August 2023 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in The Strategist 7 August 2023. Link to original version. Image: Royal Australian...