The United States may transfer its decommissioned Virginia-class submarines to Australia, Chinese military expert Song Zhongping said, February 4, Global Times reports.
Earlier, a number of media outlets reported that the US, UK and Australia may soon unveil a plan to transfer nuclear submarines to Australia as part of the AUKUS trilateral military alliance. The plan could be made public as early as mid-March, when the leaders of the three countries meet in Washington.
According to the expert, the United States has two main options for action within the framework of AUKUS. First of all, Washington can transfer its decommissioned Virginia-class submarines to Australia.
In addition, the United States, with the assistance of Great Britain, can build a modified version of the Virginia-class submarines for Australia.
“But it will take a decade to build eight to 10 submarines and form a combat-ready fleet,” Sun said.
Source: rossaprimavera
