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42m ago

AUSMIN Opens With AUKUS Push as Australia to Deliver $1 Billion for U.S. Sub Production

Talks zero in on AUKUS schedules, submarine industrial capacity, U.S. pressure for higher Australian defense spending.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong, left, listens as Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks at the State Department, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks as Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles, Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen at the State Department, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during an event at the State Department, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens during a news conference with Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles and Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong at the State Department, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Overview

  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defense Minister Richard Marles in Washington to launch the annual alliance talks.
  • Penny Wong said Australia is "full steam ahead" on AUKUS, and Pete Hegseth noted Australia’s upcoming $1 billion delivery to help expand U.S. submarine production capacity.
  • The Pentagon’s five‑month review endorsing the $368 billion AUKUS submarine pact has been handed to Canberra but remains unpublished, with U.S. lawmakers stressing strict deadlines.
  • The Trump administration has pushed for a higher Australian defense budget, including a reported 3.5% of GDP ask, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has insisted Canberra will set its own target.
  • Marles will also convene a trilateral session with Hegseth and U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey on the submarine program, following his Tokyo stop announcing an annual Australia‑Japan defense meeting.