The weakest link: Australia’s submarine hopes depend on the UK – but Britannia no longer rules the waves

HMS Anson on deployment to Australia, with Perth in the background. It was the Astute-class boat’s first visit to Australia as part of Aukus but its recall underlined the UK’s scarcity of operationally ready attack submarines. Photograph: LPhot Kevin Walton/Royal Navy

When HMS Anson – a British nuclear submarine – surfaced just off the coast of Perth last month, it was hailed as vindication of the Aukus triumvirate: “a historic new phase” in Australia’s path towards commanding its own nuclear submarines.

The submarine’s arrival, it was argued, was demonstration of the political will behind the ambitious Aukus deal: manifestation of Donald Trump’s exhortation the agreement was “full steam ahead”.