The Australian government announced its intention of acquiring nuclear-powered submarines through its new trilateral defense partnership with the US and the UK called AUKUS. While these submarines are not a nuclear weapon per se, they are fuelled by highly enriched uranium (HEU) that can be used in nuclear weapons. This raises the question of what the intentions of Australia are in getting nuclear submarines and whether the country’s defense strategy is deemed more important than its response the the current health crisis.

Produced By: Estelle Sanchez

Featured In Story: Dr Tilman Ruff – Co-President of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War

First aired on The Wire, Friday 24 September 2021