THE SQUIZ
It’s been bubbling under the surface for a while, but reports say we’re getting closer to locking in our new/expensive submarine fleet. Yesterday, there was speculation that PM Anthony Albanese will shore up plans (pun intended…) to secure 2 types of nuclear-powered submarines for Oz under the $100 billion-plus AUKUS deal that will be outlined with an all-star cast including UK PM Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden in San Diego on Monday.

TELL ME MORE…
Albanese’s US visit will flesh out some details on the security pact between Australia, the UK and America that responds to China’s growing presence in the Pacific. A big part of the agreement that was announced 18 months ago is for Australia to acquire a fleet of super sophisticated nuclear-powered subs to replace our ageing assets. And yesterday, reports said we’ll get at least 4 Virginia-class subs built in the US and delivered around the mid-2030s to help “bridge the capability gap”. We’re also set to work with the UK on a modified version of their new Astute-class sub that would be built in Adelaide and take a bit longer to complete. Albanese has refused to comment on the reports, but in the coming days, we can expect a lot of commentary about the cost and timelines. And given Oz will become the 7th nation to have nuclear-powered subs, there are questions about our capacity to build and maintain the fleet. 

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE TO KNOW?
There sure is… After a ride on a different sort of bat mobile before the start of the 4th Test between the Aussie and Indian men’s sides, he announced that India will join Australia for this year’s Talisman Sabre war games for the first time during a visit to India’s flagship carrier INS Vikrant. Those massive exercises held every 2 years off the Queensland coast include defence personnel from the US, UK, Kiwiland, Canada, Japan, and South Korea. Albanese went all Top Gun as he labelled India a “top-tier security partner”, saying there has “never been a point in both of our countries’ histories where we’ve had such a strong strategic alignment.”