Australian PM to Announce $90b French Submarine Deal is Dead

Australia, U.S. and UK to form AUUKUS under a new nuclear defense pact The Morrison government is poised to tear up the troubled $90 billion contract with French shipbuilder Naval Group and partner with the United States and United Kingdom to switch to an American-made nuclear-powered submarine. One source said the dramatic move would be justified that the shift to nuclear technology was required in light of the changing strategic circumstances as China becomes more aggressive in the region. As an interim step, there were suggestions the U.S. was planning to operate some of its Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines out…