Albanese reiterates nuclear submarines commitment

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday he remains committed to building a fleet of submarines powered by U.S. nuclear technology despite the French president describing the plan as a "confrontation with China."

Albanese told Australian media in Bangkok, where the APEC meeting is under way, that Australia is "proceeding with the AUKUS arrangements, there's nothing ambiguous about it."

Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison cancelled a deal with France last year as part of an alliance with the United States and Britain that will deliver an Australian fleet of at least eight nuclear-powered submarines.

Morrison at the time said that the "game changer" was that next-generation nuclear-powered submarines will use reactors that do not need refueling during the 35-year life of the boat.