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.