Australia is getting closer to acquiring a nuclear submarine fleet

According to authorities on Friday, Australia would provide British industry with $3 billion (or 4.6 billion Australian dollars) to help build nuclear-powered submarines and guarantee that its new fleet comes on schedule.

The declaration was made the day after the two nations agreed to strengthen their military and security cooperation in response to issues including China’s heightened involvement in the South China Sea and South Pacific. According to British Defense Minister Grant Shapps, the submarine program is essential.

Shapps said, “Countries need to invest to ensure that adversaries see we are serious about our security.”

Through the agreement, the UK’s Rolls-Royce facility will have more capability to produce nuclear reactors, which will power the submarines.