RSL Congratulates Government on AUKUS Initiative and New Submarine Acquisition

MEDIA RELEASE

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) has congratulated the Australian Government on the initiative to replace the ageing Collins class submarines with a new fleet of at least eight nuclear-powered vessels employing the latest American and British technology. 

The RSL has also welcomed the formation of the new trilateral AUKUS security partnership between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. 

National President Greg Melick said Australia’s graduation to nuclear-powered submarines and the new strategic partnership with two of our historic and strongest allies was firmly in line with the  RSL’s motto – ‘The Price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance’. 

He said the emphasis on the latest US and UK nuclear technology would ensure that Australia had a submarine fleet capable of protecting our nation’s maritime interests and able to contribute effectively to ensure the security of our region. It is a key step in the modernisation of the Royal  Australian Navy. 

“The RSL has as one of its key objectives to lobby government to ensure the promotion of a  secure, stable, and progressive Australia and the nuclear-powered submarine decision, as well as the new security partnership certainly meet these ideals. 

“Australian service men and women have served alongside our British and American counterparts for more than 100 years and these initiatives can only strengthen our alliance. 

“This new AUKUS agreement heralds a new level of joint collaboration and interoperability with our allies on areas including cyber-security, intelligence and new missile programs, such as the  Tomahawk missiles for RAN destroyers and air-to-surface standoff missiles for the RAAF. 

“We welcome and support the Government’s latest defence and security endeavours and look forward to the launch of the first vessel in Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet,” Greg  Melick said.