AUKUS to boost Pacific deterrence sooner than expected, report finds
Hindustan TimesSYDNEY, - The benefits of the AUKUS nuclear powered submarine partnership would start to be seen in 2027, earlier than widely assumed, by boosting deterrence and increasing the number of submarines in the western Pacific able to respond to a crisis, a report said on Monday. AUKUS to boost Pacific deterrence sooner than expected, report finds Under the AUKUS program, Australia, Britain and the United States will work to transfer a fleet of eight nuclear powered and conventionally armed submarines to Australia by 2050. Yet doubts have been raised about the practicality of Australia's most expensive defence project, the report by defence analyst Ross Babbage at the Sydney-based Lowy Institute think tank said. Many of the strategic benefits for regional deterrence kick in from 2027, when five nuclear powered submarines, with joint Australian, British and U.S. crews, begin routine operations from Australia to boost training, the report said.