Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has pledged the coalition will support the Albanese government's choice of nuclear submarine despite suggesting US vessels are the best option.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to travel to Washington this month to announce alongside US President Joe Biden and his UK counterpart, Rishi Sunak, which submarine Australia will acquire under the AUKUS security partnership.
Mr Dutton has repeatedly insisted the American Virginia-class submarines remain the quickest and cheapest option for Australia as speculation mounts an under-development British boat will be chosen.
But he said the government will receive bipartisan support for its decision.
"Labor's going to make a decision about which submarine they go with, but we'll support whatever decision they take," the former defence minister told 2GB radio on Thursday.
Mr Dutton said his preference for the US model was "no slight on the Brits".
"The Brits have been allies of ours forever and for the sake of our country I hope that's always the case of the future," he said.
During a visit to the Avalon air show in Victoria earlier this week, Mr Dutton warned against acquiring the nation's future fleet from the UK.
He said the American submarines were an established design and did not bring the risks of delays and blowouts that a new vessel could bring.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy, who was also at the air show, slammed Mr Dutton's comments as "incredibly irresponsible".
