The Pentagon has begun a review of the trilateral AUKUS agreement, casting uncertainty over the future of Australia’s submarine fleet. A U.S. defence official indicated that this examination is part of aligning AUKUS with President Biden’s “America First” agenda. The review aims to ensure the readiness of U.S. service members and that allied nations contribute fully to collective defence, as stated by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The AUKUS pact, established in 2021 by President Biden, then-Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, is a defence collaboration between the US, Australia, and the UK. Central to Australia’s interests within the agreement is a significant deal valued at $368 billion for nuclear-powered submarines, seen as a vital component of its defence strategy.
Despite the Pentagon’s scrutiny, Australia has already committed to the deal with an initial payment of $500 million. However, ongoing concerns about the submarine fleet’s viability, particularly against a backdrop of a looming 2030 deadline for delivery, have drawn criticism. The agreement has historically received bipartisan support in both the U.S. and Australia, although its benefits have come under question.
The implications of the AUKUS review may put additional pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as he prepares to attend the G7 summit in Canada this week. As the U.S. continues to reassess agreements established during the previous administration, the future of this crucial defence pact remains in doubt.