President Joe Biden is set to meet with two of America's closest allies to announce that Australia will purchase US-manufactured, nuclear-powered attack submarines to modernise its fleet, amid growing concerns about China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Biden is travelling on Monday to San Diego, where he will meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for talks on the 18-month-old nuclear partnership known by the acronym AUKUS.
The partnership, announced in 2021, paved the way for Australia's access to nuclear-powered submarines, which are stealthier and more capable than conventionally powered boats, as a counterweight to China's military buildup.
San Diego is Biden's first stop on a three-day trip to California and Nevada. He will discuss gun violence prevention in the community of Monterey Park, California, and his plans to lower prescription drug costs in Las Vegas.
Australia is purchasing up to five Virginia-class boats as part of AUKUS, according to two people familiar with the arrangement who spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview the plans.
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