2026 June 02 « Antinuclear

US to send only used nuclear subs to Australia in amended defence deal

Sunday, 31 May 2026 https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/05/31/us-to-send-only-used-nuclear-subs-to-australia-in-amended-defence-deal

SINGAPORE: Australia will receive only used nuclear-powered submarines from the United States as part of an agreement to “streamline” the AUKUS deal, with the move branded on Sunday (May 31) as a “cost-effective” measure by Defence Minister Richard Marles.

The two nations — together with the third partner in their security pact, Britain — met at Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue, which brings together top defence officials and experts from about 45 countries.

Under the 2021 AUKUS deal, Australia is expected to receive at least three so-called “Virginia-class” nuclear-powered submarines from the United States within 15 years.

Australia had been expecting to receive two used submarines and one new one, but the countries announced Saturday that all three will now be in-service vessels from the US Navy stock.

When asked why Canberra was now receiving only used equipment, Marles, who is also deputy prime minister, told reporters on Sunday it would be more cost-effective.

“In the context of a very complicated endeavour, we need to place a premium on simplicity,” said Marles, who added that the submarines will also be the same model.

“I cannot overstate the significance of that, both in terms of the submariners who are operating them, but also the people who are working on them to sustain those submarines,” Marles said.

“It is definitely cost-effective. And to be clear, this is a very expensive programme… and so we are trying to find every cost-effective option as we walk down this path.”

In a joint statement on Saturday, Marles, US Minister for Defence Pete Hegseth, and the UK Secretary for Defence John Healey confirmed the tweak to the submarine agreement.

“The deputy prime minister and secretaries welcomed the proposed approach to streamline Australia’s acquisition of Virginia-class submarines (VCS), simplifying supply chain management, operational and maintenance requirements, and maximising cost efficiencies,” the statement said.

“This approach would enable Australia to acquire three in-service VCS in lieu of a mixture of new and in-service VCS variants.”

The US Navy has 24 Virginia-class vessels but American shipyards are struggling to meet production targets set at two new boats each year.

In the United States, critics have questioned why Washington would sell nuclear-powered submarines to Australia without stocking its own military first.

The AUKUS submarine programme lies at the heart of Australia’s defence strategy and could cost up to US$235 billion over 30 years, according to government forecasts. – AFP

Sunday, 31 May 2026 |

June 2, 2026 Posted by Christina Macpherson | weapons and war | Leave a comment

6 June – WEBINAR -Get Inspired by Protests Against Military Bases!

WEBINAR – https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QOJuFnibTF6eUmBt-tL8-A Jun 7, 2026 12:00 AM in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney

As militarization pushes itself into almost every corner of our lives, as weapons become more powerful, as military bases across the world become nuclear armed, we know this is not about defense. This is about imperialism hand in hand with capitalism. It is about land grabs, resource extraction, pollution and climate change. It is about turning our communities into targets and deforming the future of our children.

Many brave women across the world have stood firm to defy this onslaught of aggression. We bring you the voices of meaningful protest from some of those standing in the front line of defiance.

Saturday – June 6, 2026 – appr. 2 hrs including Q&A

16.00 Central European time (CET) –  10.00am New York time – 23.00 Tokyo time – 24.00/midnight Australia time

Speakers

· South Korea  – Sung-Hee Choi – Women Cross DMZ  – “People’s protests against the naval base and militarization of Jeju”

·      Philippines – Corazon Fabros – IPB – protests against US military bases.

·      New Zealand – Liz Remmerswaal – active in WILPF, World BEYOND War – videoclip/protests against US military bases

·      Australia – Margaret Prestorius – Wage Peace – videoclip/ protests against US military bases

·      Italy – Patrizia Sterpetti – WILPF – Public Prosecutor complaint/illegal

·      Japan – tba possession and transfer of nuclear bombs

·      UK – Sophie Bolt – Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament/CND – protests at military bases

·      Germany – Kristine Karch – Stopp Air Base Ramstein – Peace week camp and demonstration at the base, June 2026

·      Spain – Juan José Ruiz – active for peace – Neither Yankees nor Spaniards, bases out!

·      France – Marie Sigogneau – Sortir du nucléaire pays nantais – Nuclear Exit Nantes Region – Protests against nuclear facilities

·      Ireland – Veterans for Peace, Irish Peace and Neutrality Alliance  – Edward Horgan – weekly protests at Shannon airport in 2025 and 2026

·      Netherlands – tba

Organised by

Global Women for Peace United Against NATO – GWUAN

Supported by

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND)

No to War – No to Nato network

Stop Airbase Ramstein

Mujeres de Negro/Women in Black Madrid

WIPLF Italy

Sortir du Nucleaire Pays Nantais, France

Women for Peace – Finland

IWA – International Women’s Alliance

World Beyond War

United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC)

Host and moderator

Hosted by: UNAC

Moderator: Annachiara Canetta, World BEYOND War

on behalf of Global Women United for Peace against NATO

One linktree for all our media https://linktr.ee/WomenAgainstNATO