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

ABC Australia · May 31, 2026, 11:16 PM · Also reported by 4 other sources

Key takeaways

  • Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles says the United States remains open to providing up to five Virginia-class submarines under AUKUS.
  • Mr Marles said on the weekend that Australia was planning to buy just three second-hand Virginia-class submarines from the US.
  • The defence minister says the government remains confident it can bridge the gap to Australia's planned new AUKUS submarines under the shake-up.

Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.

Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles says the United States remains open to providing up to five Virginia-class submarines under AUKUS.

Mr Marles said on the weekend that Australia was planning to buy just three second-hand Virginia-class submarines from the US.

The defence minister says the government remains confident it can bridge the gap to Australia's planned new AUKUS submarines under the shake-up.

Article preview — originally published by ABC Australia. Full story at the source.
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