The United States has initiated a review of its multi-billion dollar submarine deal with the UK and Australia, citing the need for the pact to align with its “America First” agenda. This agreement, known as Aukus, aims to enhance military collaboration among the three nations, particularly in response to China’s growing influence. Australia is set to receive its first nuclear-powered submarines from the US, allowing it to operate advanced technology that will significantly boost its military capacity.
A US defence official stated that the pact is being reviewed “as part of ensuring that this initiative of the previous administration is aligned with the President’s America First agenda.” The official added that this means ensuring the highest readiness of US servicemembers and that allies step up fully to do their part for collective defence. The review will be headed by Elbridge Colby, who previously questioned why the US would give away “this crown jewel asset when we most need it”.
The Aukus agreement, worth £176 billion ($239 billion; A$368 billion), was signed in 2021. Under the trilateral pact, Australia will buy up to five Virginia-class attack submarines from the US, with options to purchase two more. The plan also includes designing and building an entirely new nuclear-powered submarine model for the UK and Australian navies.
Defence Minister Richard Marles expressed optimism about the deal’s continuation, stating, “I’m very confident this is going to happen. You just need to look at the map to understand that Australia absolutely needs to have a long-range submarine capability.” An Australian government spokesperson noted that it’s “natural” for the new administration to “examine” the agreement, adding that the UK had also recently finished a review of the security pact.
Jennifer Kavanagh, from American thinktank Defense Priorities, believes the US is “absolutely right to take another look at this deal” due to its stretched submarine capacities. “The US cannot meet its own demand for these nuclear-powered submarines,” she said, highlighting concerns about whether Australia would use the submarines as the US wants them to, particularly in potential conflicts over Taiwan.
The review might lead to a shift in the security pact’s focus from providing submarines to sharing other long-range weapons technology. However, if the US were to pull out of the deal, China would likely “celebrate” given its long-standing criticism of the agreement.