to be built in Australia by the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC). The basic design and key technologies will be decided by an 18-month research project begun in September 2021 with assistance from the US and UK. It has been reported that Australia may select the Virginia design or use its nuclear propulsion technology in a new design. Australia will now extend the life of its diesel-electric s that use the Virginias AN/BYG-1 Tactical and Weapons Control System and that the Attack class was due to replace. Australia may consider leasing nuclear-powered submarines from the US in the interim until the delivery of its future nuclear powered submarines. In 2011, Professor Ross Babbage of the Australian National University argued that Australia should acquire a fleet of twelve nuclear-powered submarines with Foreign Policy writing that the US should sell or lease Virginia-class submarines to Australia. On 22 November 2021, Australia, UK and the U.S. signed a trilateral agreement to share classified information about nuclear propulsion with Australia's Department of Defence. See also List of submarine classes of the United States Navy List of submarines of the United States Navy List of submarine classes in service Submarines in the United States Navy Cruise missile submarine List of current United States Navy ships References Further reading Updates on the boats of the Virginia-class Q&A on the Virginia-class program since the Winter 2007 article External links Naval History & Heritage Command VIRGINIA CLASS ATTACK SUBMARINE - SSN Stealth, Endurance, and Agility Under the Sea Virginia Class Submarines Some U.S. Navy Photos of Virginia-class submarines Submarine Industrial Base Resources Information about the Submarine Industrial Base Submarine classes Naval ships of the United States Submarines of the United States Navy Submarines of the United States