The majority of submarines in operation currently are conventional diesel-electric models, which are smaller and generally cheaper to maintain. Australia does not have the expertise to build its own nuclear submarines so it had to buy or acquire the ability to build its fleet from either the US or the UK.
Australia plans to deliver the first Australian-built SSN-AUKUS to the Royal Australian Navy in the early 2040s. Australia will begin enabling works this year at the future submarine construction yard in Osborne South Australia.
Australia and the UK will deliver SSN-AUKUS, a new conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarine, based on a UK design, incorporating cutting edge Australian, UK and US technologies. The UK will deliver its own first SSN-AUKUS in the late 2030s, with the first SSN-AUKUS built in Australia delivered in the early 2040s.
Australia currently operates a fleet of six conventionally powered Collins-class submarines, which will have their service life extended to 2036.
The multi-decade deal will see American and British nuclear-powered submarines rotating into Australian waters as soon as 2027. By the early 2030s, Australia will buy at least three — and as many as five — American nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines designed to hunt and attack other subs.
SSN-AUKUS.
The combination of United Kingdom submarine design and advanced United States technology is intended to deliver a best-in-class submarine that meets Australia's long-term defense needs while bolstering trilateral industrial cooperation.
The numbers of China's ballistic missile submarines and nuclear-powered attack submarines, now numbering six of each, are projected to more than double between 2020 and 2040, according to a 2022 Congressional Research Service (CRS) report on China's naval modernization.
Data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies shows that the US has by far the largest nuclear-powered fleet worldwide. Russia has under half the number of nuclear-powered submarines, and China roughly half again.
Submarines may carry nuclear fuel for up to 30 years of operation. The only resource that limits the time underwater is the food supply for the crew and maintenance of the vessel.
China currently operates 56 submarines, of which 12 are nuclear-powered, according to the latest Pentagon assessment.
The Royal Australian Navy Submarine Force Element Group Headquarters, and all six of the Collins Class submarines, are at HMAS Stirling located on Garden Island, near Perth. The majority of the Navy's submarine support facilities are also located at HMAS Stirling, including the Submarine Escape Training Facility.
The cans are ejected from the submarine using a trash disposal unit (TDU), which is a long cylindrical, vertical tube connected to the ocean through a ball valve.
Nuclear power stations can't be built anywhere in Australia.
They are banned in every state, and in every territory. Such bans were introduced because of community concerns about the health and environmental risks.
Australia will receive conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines under an agreement reached by the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. The submarines will be modeled after the United Kingdom's next-generation nuclear submarine design and include up-to-date U.S. technology.
1 Seawolf Class
The underwater predators of the Seawolf class can operate with the least acoustic signature of any other military submarine. In simpler words, these US vessels are the world's most silent killers of the seas.
Designed by General Dynamics Electric Boat (EB) and Huntington Ingalls Industries, the Virginia class is the United States Navy's latest submarine model, which incorporates the latest in stealth, intelligence gathering, and weapons systems technology.
The Astute-class submarines are the largest, most advanced and most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy, combining world-leading sensors, design and weaponry in a versatile vessel.
Under the deal, Australia will buy three US Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the US by the early 2030s and has an option to buy two additional vessels if required.
While North Korea is seen as being years away from developing nuclear-powered submarines, they have been testing diesel-powered submarines that could carry missiles topped with nuclear warheads.
Australia will become the seventh country to have a nuclear-powered submarine, relying on an enriched uranium reactor, propulsion technology that will put the country's diesel-powered navy on a technological par with China.
Nuclear power allowed submarines to run for about twenty years without needing to refuel. Food supplies became the only limit on a nuclear submarine's time at sea. Since then, similar technologies have been developed to power aircraft carriers.
Interested in nuclear science? ANSTO is home to Australia's only nuclear reactor OPAL in Lucas Heights, Sydney.