Australia must adopt unorthodox options to disrupt China’s grey zone threats | Ashley Townshend and Thomas Lonergan

Joining Aukus sends a clear message but the submarines are years away - in the meantime Canberra must creatively push back against Beijing

Canberra's momentous decision to acquire nuclear-powered submarines through the new Aukus arrangement with London and Washington is an unmistakable sign of Australia's commitment to balance China's military power in the Indo-Pacific region.

But it's far from enough. Assuming all goes to plan with the design, negotiations, building, budget, training and testing, Australia's first submarine won't enter operational service until the late-2030s at the earliest.