This was published 10 years ago
The $12.5 billion submarines - what else could we buy?
Updated ,first published
The government will build a fleet of 12 new submarines over the next 30 years as part of an overall increase in defence spending.
Defence estimates the submarines will cost about $50 billion to design and build, but the cost of maintaining them could bring the total bill to $150 billion.
This amounts to $12.5 billion to design, build and maintain one submarine over 30 years.
The plans were outlined in the Defence white paper, a document released on Thursday that outlines Australia's military plans over the next two decades.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says the submarines are essential and will help protect Australia. But what else could the $12.5 billion price tag of a submarine pay for?
Fergus Hunter is a former crime reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He previously reported on federal politics, education and communications at Parliament House in Canberra.Connect via X, Facebook or email.