A coalition of former defence leaders from the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom has called on the Trump administration to maintain its commitment to the AUKUS pact. This pivotal agreement, established in 2021, aims to bolster security collaboration between the three nations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. The group emphasizes that abandoning AUKUS could undermine U.S. strategic interests at a critical time.
In a recently published essay in the journal Foreign Affairs, former U.S. Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis, former Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne, former UK Chief of Defence Staff Nicholas Carter, and former U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Gary Roughead highlight the significant implications of any potential withdrawal from the agreement. They argue that such a move would inadvertently assist adversaries, particularly China and Russia, who oppose the alliance.
The authors assert, “The strongest argument for AUKUS is that China and Russia object to it. When a country’s adversaries don’t like what it is doing, it should usually press on.”
Under the AUKUS framework, the U.S. plans to sell Australia between three and five Virginia-class submarines in the 2030s. Subsequently, Australia and the UK will collaborate on the development of a new class of submarines, set to enter service in the 2040s. However, the final decision regarding the sale of these submarines will rest with the sitting U.S. president. Concerns have been raised by the U.S. Navy, including the new Chief of Naval Operations, Daryl Caudle, about the feasibility of fulfilling this agreement unless production capacity is increased from 1.2 submarines per year to 2.3.
The authors of the essay argue that, despite the short-term sacrifices, the long-term benefits of AUKUS are substantial. They contend that the collaboration will ultimately enhance the maritime industrial bases of all three nations. “These costs are worth the benefits,” they state, emphasizing that operating common submarines will provide the necessary industrial predictability to increase production.
The AUKUS agreement was formed as a strategic response to increasing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. With rising threats from state and non-state actors, the collaboration aims to strengthen military capabilities and ensure greater security for allied nations.
In conclusion, this high-profile coalition of former defence officials underscores the strategic importance of AUKUS, urging the Trump administration to continue its support for the pact. The ongoing commitment to this partnership is viewed as essential not only for regional stability but also for the broader interests of the United States and its allies in an increasingly complex global landscape.
