Aukus: nuclear subs deal will cost Australia up to $368bn
Rotational forces' of US and UK nuclear-powered submarines set to visit Australia from 2027 as part of landmark pact
Australia is to embark on one of its most significant, expensive and geopolitically consequential military tasks in a century: the push to acquire, operate - and eventually build - nuclear-powered submarines.
The program is forecast to cost $268bn to $368bn between now and the mid 2050s, most of it beyond the first four-year budget period. This includes includes $9bn over the initial four-year budget period, or an increase of $3bn compared with the $6bn earmarked for the abandoned French project. Defence is being asked to offset that $3bn.
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