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AAP
AAP
Politics
Maeve Bannister

Defence minister lays out need for nuclear subs

Richard Marles has renewed his pitch for the landmark submarine deal with the UK and US. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Nuclear submarines will enable Australia to protect its sea trade routes, the defence minister says, after government backbenchers questioned the need for the technology.

In a speech to parliament on Wednesday, Richard Marles laid out the pathway to the submarines, renewing his pitch for the landmark military deal with the United States and United Kingdom set to cost Australia $368 billion.

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