CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Australia and the US have made “significant progress” towards getting Australia a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines “at the earliest possible date”, the US defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, said on Saturday.

Detailed explanation-2: -They said AUKUS would build on the three nations’ longstanding relationships and enable deeper cooperation, including on security and defence capabilities. The first initiative under AUKUS was Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines.

Detailed explanation-3: -In September 2021, Australia tore up a $90bn conventional submarine contract with France to instead acquire nuclear submarine technology from the US or the UK as part of the new Aukus alliance.

Detailed explanation-4: -Under AUKUS, and supported by the United Kingdom and United States, Australia will acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines.