Coalition rules out buying nuclear submarines for Australian Navy

The Coalition's defence spokesman has ruled out suggestions by some of his colleagues that Australia consider buying nuclear submarines to replace the Collins-class subs.

"Nuclear submarines are not coalition policy and they are not on the table for us to be examining," David Johnston told ABC Radio on Monday.

Senator Johnston was responding to reports senior coalition MPs have said that buying or leasing Virginia-class attack submarines armed with conventional weapons, including cruise missiles, would be supported by the Obama administration.

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