‘Shortcomings and failures’ could sink Aukus nuclear submarines plan, UK inquiry warns

Australia is dependent upon UK’s ability to deliver new submarines but report says ‘cracks are already beginning to show’

“Cracks are already beginning to show” in the UK’s funding for the Aukus agreement that could derail the ambitious nuclear submarine plan, a British parliamentary inquiry has found, highlighting a threat to Australia’s security.

UK shipbuilding has been under-funded for decades and the country’s submarine availability is “critically low”, the House of Commons defence committee’s report found.