Overview

• John Noh told senators the Pentagon’s AUKUS review began in July and should conclude this fall, aligning the pact with the administration’s priorities.
• He said there are commonsense steps to make the submarine pathway more sustainable under Pillar I, while declining to preview specific recommendations.
• Lawmakers from both parties voiced concern that launching the review surprised Australia and questioned recent U.S. decisions affecting Indo-Pacific allies.
• Noh highlighted the need to lift Virginia-class output from about 1.2 boats per year to roughly 2.33 to meet U.S. and AUKUS requirements, with funding and industrial capacity under scrutiny.
• An AEI commentary claimed AUKUS appears to have cleared the review and urged export-control reforms and a dedicated program lead, a conclusion not confirmed by the Pentagon.