The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to the AUKUS security pact involving Australia and the United Kingdom, following a thorough five-month review by the Pentagon. This assessment identified opportunities to enhance the agreement, which aims to bolster security cooperation among the three nations. The Pentagon emphasized that the review sought to put AUKUS on the “strongest possible footing.”
The AUKUS agreement, originally signed in September 2021, will enable Australia to acquire at least three nuclear-powered attack submarines from the United States in the early 2030s. In addition, Australia plans to develop its own submarines using American technology in the future.
According to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, the review aligned with former President Donald Trump‘s “America first” agenda, reiterating the importance of the agreement’s success. “The purpose of the review was to identify opportunities to strengthen AUKUS and ensure its long-term success,” Parnell noted. He added that the review confirmed that AUKUS should move “full steam ahead.”
Congressman Joe Courtney, co-chair of the Friends of Australia Caucus, welcomed the findings, stating that the review endorsed the substantial $368 billion deal. Courtney highlighted that the report outlined “critical deadlines” that the involved countries must adhere to, emphasizing that “maintaining disciplined adherence to schedule is paramount.”
Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy expressed satisfaction with the review’s outcomes, stating, “I’m confident that AUKUS is hitting every single milestone that we’ve set, and this review confirms that.” Conroy indicated that the Australian government would engage constructively with the findings to further improve AUKUS.
The government is currently reviewing the report, which has been shared with the Albanese administration but remains confidential for the time being. Defence Minister Richard Marles mentioned that Australia is actively “working through” the review ahead of significant discussions planned in Washington next week with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Concerns regarding the future of the AUKUS agreement were alleviated when Trump expressed support for the initiative during a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House in October. The endorsement from the US government signals a commitment to enhancing collaboration and defence capabilities among the three nations.
As discussions continue, both countries remain focused on ensuring AUKUS achieves its objectives effectively and efficiently. The Pentagon’s review marks a significant step in reinforcing the strategic partnership and addressing the evolving security landscape in the Indo-Pacific region.
