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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Ben Doherty

Hegseth calls US-built nuclear submarines the ‘apex predator’ of the seas. But are they right for Australia?

Australia United States Aukus Virginia Rex Patrick Richard Marles US Navy America Ocean
The Virginia-class submarine surfaces at sea, periscopes raised, under a setting sun
A Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine. Australia is awaiting the delivery of three secondhand nuclear-powered boats from the US in 2032 as part of Aukus. Illustration: Victoria Hart/Guardian Design/United States Navy

On stage for his “arsenal of freedom tour”, the US secretary of defense – who prefers the appellation “secretary of war” – was ebullient.

“This Virginia-class submarine is a paragon of American engineering and fighting spirit,” Pete Hegseth roared, standing at Newport News shipyards where those boats are being built.

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