Overview
- Australia will soon transfer an additional US$1 billion to expand U.S. submarine production capacity, bringing its contribution to US$2 billion so far.
- The Pentagon has completed a five-month AUKUS review that endorses the pact and its timelines, though the findings remain confidential and stress meeting key deadlines.
- Both sides advanced force posture plans including infrastructure works at RAAF Tindal and Darwin to support rotations of U.S. bombers, fighters and ISR aircraft, with scoping at RAAF Amberley.
- Marine Rotational Force–Darwin will grow through logistics upgrades and prepositioned MV‑22 Osprey aircraft, with new northern and southern logistics nodes and a U.S. Oversight and Support Group in Australia.
- Officials reaffirmed establishing Submarine Rotational Force–West as early as 2027 and set a two‑year pathway for joint munitions work, including steps toward hypersonic attack cruise missile co‑production, as Washington continues to press for higher Australian defense spending.