Australia is expected to buy up to five Virginia-class nuclear submarines from the United States in the 2030s as part of a landmark defense deal between Washington, Canberra and London, four US officials said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

The agreement, known as the AUKUS pact, will have several phases, with at least one American submarine visiting Australian ports in the coming years, and will culminate in the late 2030s with a new class of submarines built on British design and American technology, one official said.

US President Joe Biden will host Australian and British leaders in San Diego next week to find a way forward for supplying nuclear submarines and other high-tech weapons to Australia.

After annual port visits, the United States will send several submarines to Western Australia by around 2027, two officials said on condition of anonymity.

In the early 2030s, Australia will purchase 3 Virginia-class submarines and have an option to purchase two more.

The Pentagon referred questions to the White House, which declined to confirm details of any upcoming announcement.

AUKUS will be Australia’s largest defense project and offers the prospect of jobs in all three countries.

The AUKUS agreement is a framework for cooperation between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom in the field of nuclear submarine technology.

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