Overview

• Admiral Daryl Caudle told the Senate Armed Services Committee that US shipyards are delivering about 1.2 Virginia-class submarines per year, far below the 2.2–2.3 annual rate needed to satisfy both US defence needs and AUKUS commitments.
• The Pentagon has launched a formal review of pillar one of AUKUS, which obliges the US to sell Australia three to five Virginia-class submarines starting in 2032.
• Australia has contributed US$2.4 billion to support US shipbuilding under AUKUS, including a second US$800 million payment confirmed in June.
• Senator Roger Wicker and Congressman Joe Courtney have called for an additional US$1 billion in Virginia-class funding next year to address the production shortfall.
• Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull warned that without a 100 percent increase in shipbuilding capacity or an alternative plan, Australia risks a decade-long gap in its submarine capability.