Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet is going to be expensive, Matthew Newman* writes in the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Strategist. Not only will the initial production cost run into the tens of billions, but there will be significant ongoing outlays for platform sustainment, operational use and shore-based infrastructure. Australia’s share of the cost of the ‘SSN AUKUS’ program will be between $268 billion and $368 billion — far exceeding the forecast expenditure of the cancelled Attack-class build.
