EXPLAINED: Marcus hellyer - The Real Truth

Aukus will cost Australia $368bn. What if there was a better, cheaper defence strategy?

As questions swirl around the nuclear submarine deal, some strategists are pushing for an alternative, ‘echidna’ policy that focuses less on offensive capability

The Guardian - AU · Jun 14, 2025

'Bite the bullet': call for a deep dive on subs deal

A US review of its nuclear submarine pact with Australia is being labelled an opportunity for Canberra to re-evaluate the deal's costs and benefits.

AAP · Jun 12, 2025

Defence reveals 50 per cent 'contingency' for cost overruns inside $368 billion AUKUS project

An almost $123 billion "contingency" has been set aside for Australia's largest ever defence project, according to a new analysis of the AUKUS nuclear submarine program prepared by the Parliamentary Budget Office.

ABC News · Apr 27, 2023

A year on from Aukus, doubts grow about its future as China muscles up

While some progress has been made, analysts fear China is leaping ahead in capabilities and the defence department doesn’t sense the urgency

The Guardian - AU · Sep 14, 2022

Andrew Hastie says the Coalition commissioned up to 70 ships when last in government, while Labor commissioned none. Is that correct?

Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie says the Coalition commissioned up to 70 ships when last in government, and that Labor commissioned none. Is that correct? RMIT ABC Fact Check investigates.

ABC News · Aug 15, 2022

Coalition calls for Australia to build its own missiles

Australia must develop its own long-range missiles as part of its defence to meet rising challenges to regional security, the Coalition has said.

The New Daily · Aug 7, 2022

Australia almost no chance to buy any submarine from current US building program, experts say

Latest report to US Congress reveals the superpower will struggle to meet its own submarine-building targets for decades

The Guardian - AU · Jul 20, 2022

Australian-built conventional submarines vital to fill looming capability gap, says defence thinktank

Issue of Collins class obsolescence before nuclear replacement enters service is defence minister’s top priority

The Guardian - AU · Jun 15, 2022

Peter Dutton’s claim he planned to buy US nuclear subs is ‘political point-scoring’, defence experts say

Liberal leader is in damage control after his comments raised eyebrows, one analyst saying ‘there’s no way this is a plan’

The Guardian - AU · Jun 10, 2022

Defence faces budget blowout with Aukus nuclear submarines to cost more than scrapped French project

New analysis says major programs often end up costing more than is budgeted for and predicts inflation will impact on defence budgets

The Guardian - AU · Jun 7, 2022