Commentary
The recent AUKUS submarines announcement finally overcomes the political roadblocks that have bedevilled the replacement of Australia’s ageing fleet for more than a decade. 
The most significant aspect of the arrangements is the deployment of up to four U.S. Virginia-class submarines and one UK submarine to Australia from 2027.
This was the original timeline for the provision of new submarines by the Abbott government until it was extended to the 2030s by the Turnbull agreement with France. Even that timeline seemed ambitious.
It appeared, until the Morrison government scuppered the French deal in favour of the AUKUS agreement, that Australia would be bereft of a replacement for the ageing Collins Class submarines for more than a decade longer than originally planned….