Australia backs AUKUS amid U.S. review
Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles expressed confidence in the continuation of the AUKUS submarine pact with the United States and the United Kingdom, despite a formal review initiated by the Trump administration. The review, led by Pentagon official Elbridge Colby, aims to evaluate the agreement's alignment with President Trump's "America First" agenda and assess U.S. submarine production capabilities. In 2023, Australia committed A$368 billion ($239 billion) over three decades for this significant defense project, which includes acquiring and building nuclear-powered submarines.
Marles emphasized the close collaboration with the U.S. during this review process, describing it as a "natural" part of defense strategy reassessments. Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who negotiated the AUKUS deal in 2021, noted that the U.S. has the right to review such agreements without overinterpreting the implications. Under the AUKUS framework, Australia is set to make a $2 billion payment in 2025 to enhance U.S. submarine shipyards and expedite production rates of Virginia-class submarines, with plans to receive up to three U.S. submarines starting in 2032.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is scheduled to meet President Trump at the G7 summit in Canada, where they will discuss a U.S. request for Australia to increase its defense spending from 2% to 3.5% of GDP. While Albanese has committed to raising spending to 2.3%, he remains firm against the higher target. Despite concerns regarding U.S. submarine production capacity and Australia's defense budget, officials maintain optimism about the AUKUS pact's strategic importance and long-term benefits, reinforcing the commitment to the trilateral defense agreement.
