The strategic implications of Australia’s acquisition of a nuclear-powered submarine are massive.

The former Morrison government’s decision to scrap the conventional submarine partnership with France, in order to pursue a nuclear submarine fleet through AUKUS has left Australia with a serious capability gap in naval shipbuilding.

A ten-year gap between submarine projects would all but destroy Australia’s naval shipbuilding capability for the future, compromising Australia’s ability to build, operate and maintain its own submarine fleet.

Join Allan Behm, International & Security Affairs program director, and Glenn Thompson, Assistant National Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union as they discuss options for how Australia can maintain its naval shipbuilding capabilities. Only on Australia Institute TV.

Speakers:

• Glenn Thompson, Assistant National Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union
• Allan Behm, International & Security Affairs program director