Lost at Sea: The Real Costs of AUKUS; Australian Foreign Affairs 27

“If deterrence fails – and war erupts – how does Australia intend to use its nuclear-powered submarines? They might expand Australia's choices, but they might also entrench it in operations Canberra would otherwise seek to avoid.” Bec Strating

The twenty-seventh issue of Australian Foreign Affairs explores the costs, risks and potential benefits of Australia's plan to buy, build and operate a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.

Lost at Sea looks at the ways in which the AUKUS undertaking is set to reshape the nation's military, economy, diplomacy and foreign relations – and at the consequences and alternatives if the project does not go according to plan.

• David Kilcullen asks whether, and how, Australia could defend itself if the AUKUS submarines do not materialise.

• Peter Khalil looks at the capabilities nuclear-powered submarines offer and their potential to expand Australia's strategic options.

• Bec Strating explores what AUKUS says about Australia's ambitions within our region.

• Saul Eslake questions whether the massive AUKUS expenditure will produce meaningful economic benefits for Australia.

• Yee-Fui Ng analyses the legal risks and obligations Australia has accepted through the AUKUS treaties.

PLUS Joel Backwell on Indonesia, Gorana Grgić on Europe's future and Natalie Sambhi on South-East Asia, and correspondence on AFA26's "Weapons of Choice" from John Kunkel, Naoise McDonagh and Shiro Armstrong.

© 2026 Australian Foreign Affairs (E-bog): 9781743824801

Udgivelsesdato

E-bog: 22. juni 2026