Overview

• Think tank authors Abraham Denmark and Charles Edel say abandoning AUKUS would weaken U.S. credibility and deterrence in the Indo‑Pacific.
• The Pentagon’s AUKUS review led by Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby is still underway and slated to conclude in the autumn.
• The report presses for detailed U.S.–Australia contingency planning to give Washington concrete reassurance on how Australian Virginia‑class subs would be used in a conflict.
• Key obstacles flagged include lagging U.S. submarine production, high lifetime costs for Australia, skilled‑labor shortfalls, and slow progress on streamlined AUKUS visas.
• Recommendations include clearer U.S. signals on Virginia‑class sales to unlock Australian investment at HMAS Stirling, a tighter Pillar Two focus on autonomy, long‑range strike and integrated air defense, and appointing a dedicated AUKUS representative.