Anthony Albanese is expected to detail Australia's preferred nuclear submarine option on American soil next month, alongside US President Joe Biden and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak – raising the prospect of a potential new boat design involving all three allies.
Planning is underway for the prime minister to travel overseas for the long-awaited AUKUS announcement on an "optimal pathway" to replace the Navy's ageing Collins-class fleet, with Defence Minister Richard Marles flagging a "genuinely trilateral" solution.
