Overview
- The Pentagon’s month-long review of the AUKUS nuclear submarine pact has been extended indefinitely under Undersecretary Elbridge Colby to align the agreement with President Trump’s America First agenda.
- Proposed changes include leasing submarines instead of fully selling them, embedding U.S. crews aboard the vessels and securing formal guarantees to deploy them in support of American operations.
- Australia’s ambassador to Washington, Kevin Rudd, said he is confident that all issues raised by the Defense Department will be resolved through close cooperation.
- Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy reaffirmed that Australia will not precommit troops to any future conflict involving U.S. interests.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declined U.S. calls to boost Australia’s defense spending from 2% to 3.5% of GDP, insisting that funding levels will be set according to national requirements.