Overview

• The Pentagon’s Colby-led review, initiated in June, has surpassed its 30-day timeframe and is now set to conclude in the fall.
• Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby says the review will be an empirical, clear-eyed assessment aligned with President Trump’s America First priorities.
• Australia paid its A$800 million second instalment in July and says it remains confident the pact will proceed despite prolonged US scrutiny.
• US shipyards currently deliver about 1.2 Virginia-class submarines per year, a pace that analysts warn could delay Australia’s promised vessels.
• Canberra and London this month signed a 50-year bilateral submarine agreement to strengthen Indo-Pacific deterrence alongside AUKUS.