Nuclear submarines needed due to China's military expansion, AUKUS task force head says

Submarine taskforce leader Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead speaks to 7.30 (Sarah Ferguson)

The head of Australia's AUKUS task force says China's military expansion justifies the purchase of new nuclear-powered submarines, while reassuring Australians the nuclear reactors on board the vessels will be safe.

"The government made a clear decision that the region had changed, it had changed for the worse," Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead told 7.30.