Nikolic has change of heart on submarines

The newly appointed chair of a powerful national security committee has done a u-turn on his opposition to Australia's purchase of 12 new submarines.

Liberal MP Andrew Nikolic has backpedalled on his opposition to buying 12 new submarines. (AAP) Source: AAP

The new chair of a powerful parliamentary national security committee has backpedalled on his opposition to buying 12 new submarines.

Liberal MP Andrew Nikolic, who served in the army for 31 years, previously described the idea as an "unscientific invention" by Kevin Rudd.

He told ABC TV he's now convinced an appropriate assessment has been carried out.