Overview
- The Pentagon’s internal review led by Undersecretary Elbridge Colby has extended beyond its initial 30-day window to align AUKUS with President Trump’s America First agenda.
- Pentagon officials are demanding formal Australian commitments to deploy nuclear submarines in a potential China conflict and to boost defense spending to 3.5% of GDP.
- Colby has proposed options including leasing submarines instead of outright sales and assigning U.S. crews onboard to secure operational control.
- Australia will purchase five Virginia-class nuclear submarines from the U.S. as an interim measure before its domestically built AUKUS-class fleet enters service.
- Ambassador Kevin Rudd says Canberra is collaborating with U.S. defense officials and expects all Pentagon concerns to be addressed without compromising Australian sovereignty.