Australia's defence chief is defending the acquisition of second-hand submarines, despite concern taxpayer money is being spent on lesser equipment than first promised.
Chief of the Defence Force David Johnston told a senate estimates committee three used Virginia-class submarines, to be acquired through the AUKUS pact, would be "highly capable".
The $368 billion plan originally had Australia receiving three nuclear submarines from the US - two used and one new Virginia-Class vessels - before building its own in Adelaide.
"These are the best attack submarines in the world, with the first time it has ever been transferred from another nation," Admiral Johnston said.
"These are extraordinarily capable platforms that will come to us with a long life remaining in that submarine fleet, and it would be inaccurate to portray it any other way."
