Australia may only build three of eight Aukus nuclear-powered submarines locally

The Virginia-class USS North Dakota submarine. Up to five of the eight submarines Australia will acquire under the $368bn deal will be Virginia class, built in US shipyards. Photograph: Us Navy/Reuters

The defence department has confirmed that, rather than building eight of the new Aukus submarines, Australia plans to acquire a total of eight nuclear powered submarines (SSNs) under the $368bn deal.

At least three and up to five of that eight will be Virginia-class submarines it will buy from the United States.