AUSTRALIA will have nuclear subs, but will Newcastle?
It's a difficult question to answer based on the information made publicly available so far. What we know is that at least $268 billion is earmarked over the next three decades for the AUKUS plan, delivering a fleet of eight nuclear-powered submarines until an SSN AUKUS-class hybrid vessel enters service in roughly 2043. We also know that Newcastle made it onto a shortlist to base them here alongside Port Kembla and Brisbane.
