Australia talks down prospect of having nuclear subs by 2030

Australia’s new defence minister is talking down the prospect of Australia acquiring US nuclear-powered submarines by the end of the decade (Danial Hakim/AP)

Australia’s new defence minister is talking down the prospect of Australia acquiring US nuclear-powered submarines by the end of the decade.

Defence minister Richard Marles, whose party came to power at elections last month, said his priority was closing a naval capability gap that is expected to open when Australia’s aging fleet of six Collins-class diesel-electric submarines begins to retire from 2038.