AUKUS
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From: Peripatetic
Very long lead items for SSN-AUKUS are already being manufactured. Work has started on 6 nuclear reactors, with 4 being assembled at @RollsRoyce Raynesway.
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Reactor design, AUKUS design related?
It would make sense not to duplicate work in two different organisations - unless it will be justed increased Virginia class production?
Was this off the top of his head and will Congress go along?
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/20...bmarine-trump/
US will share tech to let South Korea build nuclear submarine: Trump
GYEONGJU, South Korea — The United States will share closely held technology to allow South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine, President Donald Trump said on social media Thursday after meeting with the country’s president.
President Lee Jae Myung stressed to Trump in their Wednesday meeting that the goal was to modernize the alliance with the U.S., noting plans to increase military spending to reduce the financial burden on America.
The South Korean leader said there might have been a misunderstanding when they last spoke in August about nuclear-powered submarines, saying that his government was looking for nuclear fuel rather than weapons.
Lee said that if South Korea was equipped with nuclear-powered submarines, that it could help U.S. activities in the region.
Trump said in a separate post that the country would build its nuclear-powered submarine in the Philly Shipyard, which was bought last year by South Korea’s Hanwha Group.
It was unclear what the size or cost of the sub project would be, but South Korea had said as part of talks with Trump that it had committed $150 billion to invest in America’s shipbuilding capacity.
U.S. nuclear submarine technology is widely regarded as some of the most sensitive and highly guarded technology the military possesses. The U.S. has been incredibly protective of that knowledge, and even a recently announced deal with close allies the United Kingdom and Australia to help the latter acquire nuclear submarine technology doesn’t feature the U.S. directly transferring its knowledge.
Trump’s post on social media comes ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose country possesses nuclear submarines, and after North Korea in March unveiled for the first time a nuclear-powered submarine under construction. It is a weapons system that can pose a major security threat to South Korea and the U.S.
As Trump visited South Korea, North Korea said Wednesday that it conducted successful cruise missile tests, the latest display of its growing military capabilities.
Pentagon officials didn’t immediately respond to questions about Trump’s announcement on sharing the nuclear sub technology with South Korea.
It would make sense not to duplicate work in two different organisations - unless it will be justed increased Virginia class production?
Was this off the top of his head and will Congress go along?
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/20...bmarine-trump/
US will share tech to let South Korea build nuclear submarine: Trump
GYEONGJU, South Korea — The United States will share closely held technology to allow South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine, President Donald Trump said on social media Thursday after meeting with the country’s president.
President Lee Jae Myung stressed to Trump in their Wednesday meeting that the goal was to modernize the alliance with the U.S., noting plans to increase military spending to reduce the financial burden on America.
The South Korean leader said there might have been a misunderstanding when they last spoke in August about nuclear-powered submarines, saying that his government was looking for nuclear fuel rather than weapons.
Lee said that if South Korea was equipped with nuclear-powered submarines, that it could help U.S. activities in the region.
Trump said in a separate post that the country would build its nuclear-powered submarine in the Philly Shipyard, which was bought last year by South Korea’s Hanwha Group.
It was unclear what the size or cost of the sub project would be, but South Korea had said as part of talks with Trump that it had committed $150 billion to invest in America’s shipbuilding capacity.
U.S. nuclear submarine technology is widely regarded as some of the most sensitive and highly guarded technology the military possesses. The U.S. has been incredibly protective of that knowledge, and even a recently announced deal with close allies the United Kingdom and Australia to help the latter acquire nuclear submarine technology doesn’t feature the U.S. directly transferring its knowledge.
Trump’s post on social media comes ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose country possesses nuclear submarines, and after North Korea in March unveiled for the first time a nuclear-powered submarine under construction. It is a weapons system that can pose a major security threat to South Korea and the U.S.
As Trump visited South Korea, North Korea said Wednesday that it conducted successful cruise missile tests, the latest display of its growing military capabilities.
Pentagon officials didn’t immediately respond to questions about Trump’s announcement on sharing the nuclear sub technology with South Korea.
Last edited by ORAC; 30th October 2025 at 07:39.
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From: Peripatetic
Laredy in GCAP, why not AUKUS along with South Korea?
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news...nuclear-taboo/
Japan Weighs Nuclear Submarines as New Defense Minister Koizumi Signals Break from Postwar Nuclear Taboo
Japan’s new Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has publicly called for Tokyo to consider acquiring nuclear-powered submarines (SSN), marking what would be a significant strategic shift for the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings and where public sentiment remains deeply averse to nuclear weapons.
Japan currently operates only conventionally powered diesel-electric submarines.“There are new developments, and all the surrounding countries are set to possess (nuclear submarines),” Koizumi said during an appearance on a Tokyo Broadcasting System Television Inc. program on November 6.
The defense minister’s remark came when he referred to U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval for South Korea to build its own SSN during their summit talks on October 29 on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ summit in Gyeongju, South Korea.
In East Asia, China is steadily increasing its fleet of SSNs, and North Korea plans to develop nuclear-powered submarines as part of a five-year defense development plan unveiled in January 2021.
On the TV program, Japan’s defense chief also said that: “the environment surrounding Japan has become so severe that we need to discuss whether to continue using diesel power for submarines as before, or to switch to nuclear power.”
Nuclear submarines “are nothing particularly unusual,” Koizumi added.
At a news conference on the following day, when asked about the possibility of Japan employing nuclear submarines, the defense mister stressed, “At this point, nothing has been decided regarding the next generation of propulsion systems for submarines.”
The debate in Tokyo regarding the acquisition of SSNs has recently intensified, triggered by a policy recommendation compiled in September by an expert panel of the Ministry of Defense, which hinted at the possibility of using nuclear power as the next-generation propulsion system for submarines (i.e., acquiring nuclear-powered submarines).
The blue-ribbon panel called for exploring the use of “next-generation propulsion systems” for new submarines equipped with vertical launch systems (VLS) capable of firing long-range missiles.
In the report, the expert panel said VLS-equipped submarines should carry long-range missiles while possessing the capability to remain submerged for long periods of time and over long distances.
To achieve this, the panel emphasized the need to pursue research and technological development that includes “consideration of utilizing next-generation propulsion systems without being bound by conventional precedents.”
The panel did not specify what kind of “next-generation propulsion systems” it envisions. But a defense official who served as the panel’s secretariat said at a press briefing on September 18 that next-generation propulsion systems primarily refer to solid-state batteries and fuel cells.
However, at the briefing, Japanese reporters persistently pressed about the possibility of nuclear propulsion. The official responded with answers such as “We’re not ruling out any possibilities,” “No decision has been made by the Ministry of Defense,” and “Nothing has been decided yet.”
As a result, many media outlets have since mentioned nuclear power as if it were the only possible next-generation propulsion system.
Furthermore, a coalition government agreement reached on October 20 between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) explicitly stated, based on the blue-ribbon panel’s recommendation, that it will promote policies to acquire submarines equipped with VLS and next-generation propulsion systems, an apparent nod to nuclear propulsion……
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news...nuclear-taboo/
Japan Weighs Nuclear Submarines as New Defense Minister Koizumi Signals Break from Postwar Nuclear Taboo
Japan’s new Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has publicly called for Tokyo to consider acquiring nuclear-powered submarines (SSN), marking what would be a significant strategic shift for the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings and where public sentiment remains deeply averse to nuclear weapons.
Japan currently operates only conventionally powered diesel-electric submarines.“There are new developments, and all the surrounding countries are set to possess (nuclear submarines),” Koizumi said during an appearance on a Tokyo Broadcasting System Television Inc. program on November 6.
The defense minister’s remark came when he referred to U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval for South Korea to build its own SSN during their summit talks on October 29 on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ summit in Gyeongju, South Korea.
In East Asia, China is steadily increasing its fleet of SSNs, and North Korea plans to develop nuclear-powered submarines as part of a five-year defense development plan unveiled in January 2021.
On the TV program, Japan’s defense chief also said that: “the environment surrounding Japan has become so severe that we need to discuss whether to continue using diesel power for submarines as before, or to switch to nuclear power.”
Nuclear submarines “are nothing particularly unusual,” Koizumi added.
At a news conference on the following day, when asked about the possibility of Japan employing nuclear submarines, the defense mister stressed, “At this point, nothing has been decided regarding the next generation of propulsion systems for submarines.”
The debate in Tokyo regarding the acquisition of SSNs has recently intensified, triggered by a policy recommendation compiled in September by an expert panel of the Ministry of Defense, which hinted at the possibility of using nuclear power as the next-generation propulsion system for submarines (i.e., acquiring nuclear-powered submarines).
The blue-ribbon panel called for exploring the use of “next-generation propulsion systems” for new submarines equipped with vertical launch systems (VLS) capable of firing long-range missiles.
In the report, the expert panel said VLS-equipped submarines should carry long-range missiles while possessing the capability to remain submerged for long periods of time and over long distances.
To achieve this, the panel emphasized the need to pursue research and technological development that includes “consideration of utilizing next-generation propulsion systems without being bound by conventional precedents.”
The panel did not specify what kind of “next-generation propulsion systems” it envisions. But a defense official who served as the panel’s secretariat said at a press briefing on September 18 that next-generation propulsion systems primarily refer to solid-state batteries and fuel cells.
However, at the briefing, Japanese reporters persistently pressed about the possibility of nuclear propulsion. The official responded with answers such as “We’re not ruling out any possibilities,” “No decision has been made by the Ministry of Defense,” and “Nothing has been decided yet.”
As a result, many media outlets have since mentioned nuclear power as if it were the only possible next-generation propulsion system.
Furthermore, a coalition government agreement reached on October 20 between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) explicitly stated, based on the blue-ribbon panel’s recommendation, that it will promote policies to acquire submarines equipped with VLS and next-generation propulsion systems, an apparent nod to nuclear propulsion……
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From: aus
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From: Peripatetic
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom of 8 Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) Navy Multiband Terminals (NMT), plus associated equipment and services for an estimated cost of $200 million.
These are for nominally for the Dreadnought SSBN boats - presumably with either a couple of spare sets with SSN-AUKUS orders to follow, or they'll be used on the first few boats of both classes with a follow-on order for later generation kit in a couple of decades as required.
These are for nominally for the Dreadnought SSBN boats - presumably with either a couple of spare sets with SSN-AUKUS orders to follow, or they'll be used on the first few boats of both classes with a follow-on order for later generation kit in a couple of decades as required.
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From: Peripatetic
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/us-t...s-in-scotland/
US taps Babcock to build parts for Virginia subs in Scotland
HII and Babcock have signed a new contract that will see major sections of US Virginia-class submarines built in Scotland, deepening industrial links between the two countries and broadening the AUKUS supply base.
The deal authorises Babcock to manufacture complex submarine assemblies for Virginia-class Block VI boats at its Rosyth yard. The companies cast the move as a step that strengthens production resilience and expands the number of suppliers trusted to handle high-tolerance submarine structures.
HII’s chief executive Chris Kastner said the agreement marks “a significant next step in delivering on our joint commitment to enhance both organisations’ capabilities, for the benefit of U.S. and U.K. programs.” He added that “leveraging Babcock’s reach and expertise in the U.K. will reinforce our supplier base, strengthen submarine production in the U.S., and support the trilateral AUKUS partnership.”
The companies have been widening their cooperation since 2023, including work on nuclear decommissioning, the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification programme and unmanned underwater systems. At DSEI, they signed a separate MoU combining HII’s REMUS UUVs with Babcock’s launch systems to pursue torpedo-tube deployment options for autonomous systems.
Taken together, the steps indicate a coordinated effort to fuse US, UK and Australian industrial capacity for undersea programmes where the production pipeline is under strain and demand is rising.
HII and Babcock have signed a new contract that will see major sections of US Virginia-class submarines built in Scotland, deepening industrial links between the two countries and broadening the AUKUS supply base.
The deal authorises Babcock to manufacture complex submarine assemblies for Virginia-class Block VI boats at its Rosyth yard. The companies cast the move as a step that strengthens production resilience and expands the number of suppliers trusted to handle high-tolerance submarine structures.
HII’s chief executive Chris Kastner said the agreement marks “a significant next step in delivering on our joint commitment to enhance both organisations’ capabilities, for the benefit of U.S. and U.K. programs.” He added that “leveraging Babcock’s reach and expertise in the U.K. will reinforce our supplier base, strengthen submarine production in the U.S., and support the trilateral AUKUS partnership.”
The companies have been widening their cooperation since 2023, including work on nuclear decommissioning, the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification programme and unmanned underwater systems. At DSEI, they signed a separate MoU combining HII’s REMUS UUVs with Babcock’s launch systems to pursue torpedo-tube deployment options for autonomous systems.
Taken together, the steps indicate a coordinated effort to fuse US, UK and Australian industrial capacity for undersea programmes where the production pipeline is under strain and demand is rising.
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From: South Pole
Rolls Royce has responded to the urgency in supplying the nuclear power plants by entering agreements with other companies to utilise their expertise.
https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/press-releases/2025/05-12-2025-rr-signs-strategic-collaboration-partnership-with-assystem-atkinsrealis-and-frazer-nash-to-support-its-nuclear-growth-ambitions.aspx
https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/pr...ambitions.aspx
https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/press-releases/2025/05-12-2025-rr-signs-strategic-collaboration-partnership-with-assystem-atkinsrealis-and-frazer-nash-to-support-its-nuclear-growth-ambitions.aspx
https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/pr...ambitions.aspx
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From: Australia
Rolls Royce has responded to the urgency in supplying the nuclear power plants by entering agreements with other companies to utilise their expertise.
https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/press-releases/2025/05-12-2025-rr-signs-strategic-collaboration-partnership-with-assystem-atkinsrealis-and-frazer-nash-to-support-its-nuclear-growth-ambitions.aspx
https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/pr...ambitions.aspx
https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/press-releases/2025/05-12-2025-rr-signs-strategic-collaboration-partnership-with-assystem-atkinsrealis-and-frazer-nash-to-support-its-nuclear-growth-ambitions.aspx
https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/pr...ambitions.aspx
Rolls-Royce (UK) collaborating with AtkinsRéalis (Canadian), Assystem (French), and Frazer-Nash (US, part of KBR). There certainly seems to be enough work to go around.
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From: Peripatetic
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-g...-phase-begins/
UK goes ‘all in’ on AUKUS as nuke sub delivery phase begins
The UK, US and Australia have declared AUKUS “full steam ahead” after Washington completed its internal review, with all three governments shifting from planning to delivery of submarines and advanced technologies, the Ministry of Defence stated.
Meeting at the Pentagon, Defence Secretary John Healey joined US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles to reinforce that the trilateral programme must now move faster amid rising global instability.
Healey said “this is full steam ahead for AUKUS. Our reviews are done. Now, we deliver,” adding that “business as usual is not an option.”
According to the MoD, the UK has committed £6 billion in the last 18 months to modernise critical facilities at Barrow and Derby, enabling continuous submarine production and the construction of a new AUKUS-class attack submarine every 18 months.
The SSN-AUKUS design is expected to be the Royal Navy’s most capable attack submarine to date, with the programme projected to support more than 7,000 new UK jobs and sustain 21,000 roles at peak production.
The MoD also notes that more than 3,000 jobs linked to nuclear work have already been created since July 2024, with a further 4,400 construction roles anticipated.
Healey said the investment shows “defence as an engine for growth – boosting our shared security, keeping our people safe and creating good jobs across our three nations.”
The UK sees AUKUS as both a strategic and industrial pillar. The MoD states the wider Defence Nuclear Enterprise is projected to support around 65,000 UK jobs by 2030, with nuclear-sector salaries averaging 20 percent above the national average. Officials argue the programme is bringing long-term economic benefits to regions most in need of skilled employment.
Beyond submarines, the meeting signalled a push under AUKUS Pillar II to accelerate delivery of advanced military technologies for frontline use. The UK highlighted its parallel efforts to strengthen innovation within NATO, including its new hybrid Navy approach, and its technical support to Australia under the Geelong Treaty as Canberra prepares to operate nuclear-powered submarines.
Healey framed the moment as a turning point for the partnership, stating “AUKUS is too significant and the stakes are too high for it to be allowed to drift. Our driving focus now is overcoming any barriers to delivery. And the UK is all in.”
UK goes ‘all in’ on AUKUS as nuke sub delivery phase begins
The UK, US and Australia have declared AUKUS “full steam ahead” after Washington completed its internal review, with all three governments shifting from planning to delivery of submarines and advanced technologies, the Ministry of Defence stated.
Meeting at the Pentagon, Defence Secretary John Healey joined US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles to reinforce that the trilateral programme must now move faster amid rising global instability.
Healey said “this is full steam ahead for AUKUS. Our reviews are done. Now, we deliver,” adding that “business as usual is not an option.”
According to the MoD, the UK has committed £6 billion in the last 18 months to modernise critical facilities at Barrow and Derby, enabling continuous submarine production and the construction of a new AUKUS-class attack submarine every 18 months.
The SSN-AUKUS design is expected to be the Royal Navy’s most capable attack submarine to date, with the programme projected to support more than 7,000 new UK jobs and sustain 21,000 roles at peak production.
The MoD also notes that more than 3,000 jobs linked to nuclear work have already been created since July 2024, with a further 4,400 construction roles anticipated.
Healey said the investment shows “defence as an engine for growth – boosting our shared security, keeping our people safe and creating good jobs across our three nations.”
The UK sees AUKUS as both a strategic and industrial pillar. The MoD states the wider Defence Nuclear Enterprise is projected to support around 65,000 UK jobs by 2030, with nuclear-sector salaries averaging 20 percent above the national average. Officials argue the programme is bringing long-term economic benefits to regions most in need of skilled employment.
Beyond submarines, the meeting signalled a push under AUKUS Pillar II to accelerate delivery of advanced military technologies for frontline use. The UK highlighted its parallel efforts to strengthen innovation within NATO, including its new hybrid Navy approach, and its technical support to Australia under the Geelong Treaty as Canberra prepares to operate nuclear-powered submarines.
Healey framed the moment as a turning point for the partnership, stating “AUKUS is too significant and the stakes are too high for it to be allowed to drift. Our driving focus now is overcoming any barriers to delivery. And the UK is all in.”
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From: australia
AU Announcement video
In a high-level meeting in Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles emphasized that the trilateral partnership remains intact — including plans for nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarines, expanded military cooperation, hypersonic missile programs, and new AI-driven defence technologies.
In a high-level meeting in Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles emphasized that the trilateral partnership remains intact — including plans for nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarines, expanded military cooperation, hypersonic missile programs, and new AI-driven defence technologies.
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From: UK
AUKUS is really a dream for the US. Trump's big thing is the US has carried (and paid for) allies Defence in Europe and Pacific since WW2 and it's time for the US taxpayer gravy boat to stop. I can see the logic. So AUKUS, where US Allies are stumping up huge amounts of money for equipment, and spending a lot of that in the US, and are tied into US technologies, plus staffing with their natives so near zero cost to the US taxpayer is a dream come true. So surely the more the merrier. It's kind of like a US version of Wagner, a self-funding military whose strings you can pull.
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From: Ferrara
They also get alternative repair and maintenance people and kit across the world - which can be useful given the state of everyone's construction and repair yards these days
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From: Peripatetic
https://www.navylookout.com/royal-na...rine-shortage/
Royal Navy sends HMS Anson to Australia despite submarine shortage
Royal Navy submarine HMS Anson arrived in Gibraltar last week, her first stop after sailing from Faslane on 10th January. It was officially confirmed last year that a boat would be going to join Submarine Rotational Force–West in Western Australia during 2026.
Defence Minister, Luke Pollard, said in December, that as part of the UK commitment to AUKUS, an Astute-class boat would join SRF-West based at HMAS Stirling, near Perth. Pollard described the deployment as “a core planning assumption for the RN under AUKUS” and said the government judges the commitment to be “both realistic and manageable within existing force planning”.
To many observers, the timing of the deployment seems extraordinary as the RN does not have any other SSNs available. Tensions with Russia continue to rise, and their nefarious maritime activity is on the increase. The UK must continue to play its part in AUKUS, but in the short term, perhaps more local concerns should be the priority. Placing the sole attack submarine on the other side of the globe appears to be at odds with vigorous official warnings to Russiathat “any threat will be met with strength and resolve”…..
Royal Navy submarine HMS Anson arrived in Gibraltar last week, her first stop after sailing from Faslane on 10th January. It was officially confirmed last year that a boat would be going to join Submarine Rotational Force–West in Western Australia during 2026.
Defence Minister, Luke Pollard, said in December, that as part of the UK commitment to AUKUS, an Astute-class boat would join SRF-West based at HMAS Stirling, near Perth. Pollard described the deployment as “a core planning assumption for the RN under AUKUS” and said the government judges the commitment to be “both realistic and manageable within existing force planning”.
To many observers, the timing of the deployment seems extraordinary as the RN does not have any other SSNs available. Tensions with Russia continue to rise, and their nefarious maritime activity is on the increase. The UK must continue to play its part in AUKUS, but in the short term, perhaps more local concerns should be the priority. Placing the sole attack submarine on the other side of the globe appears to be at odds with vigorous official warnings to Russiathat “any threat will be met with strength and resolve”…..
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From: Peripatetic
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ssional-report
US congressional report explores option of not delivering any Aukus nuclear submarines to Australia
A new United States congressional report openly contemplates not selling any nuclear submarines to Australia – as promised under the Aukusagreement – because America wants to retain control of the submarines for a potential conflict with China over Taiwan.
The report by the US Congressional Research Service, Congress’s policy research arm, posits an alternative “military division of labour” under which the submarines earmarked for sale to Australia are instead retained under US command to be sailed out of Australian bases.
One of the arguments made against the US selling submarines to Australia is that Australia has refused to commit to supporting America in a conflict with China over Taiwan. Boats under US command could be deployed into that conflict.
The report, released on 26 January, cites statements from the Australian defence minister, Richard Marles, and the chief of navy that Australia would make “no promises … that Australia would support the United States” in the event of war with China over Taiwan.
“Selling three to five Virginia-class SSNs [nuclear-powered general-purpose attack submarines] to Australia would thus convert those SSNs from boats that would be available for use in a US-China crisis or conflict into boats that might not be available for use in a US-China crisis or conflict,” the report argues. “This could weaken rather than strengthen deterrence and warfighting capability in connection with a US-China crisis or conflict.”
Under the existing Aukus “optimal pathway’, Australia will first buy between three and five Virginia-class nuclear-powered conventionally armed submarines, the first in 2032. Following that, the first of eight Australian-built Aukus submarines, based on a UK design, is slated to be in the water “in the early 2040s”.
But the Congressional Research report describes an alternative “military division of labour”, under which the US would not sell any Virginia-class submarines to Australia. The boats not sold to Australia “would instead be retained in US Navy service and operated out of Australia” alongside US and UK attack submarines already planned to rotate through Australian bases.
The report speculated Australia could use the money saved to invest on other defence capabilities, even using those capabilities as a subordinate force in support of US missions.
“Australia, instead of using funds to purchase, build, operate, and maintain its own SSNs, would instead invest those funds in other military capabilities – such as … long-range anti-ship missiles, drones, loitering munitions, B-21 long-range bombers … or systems for defending Australia against attack … so as to create an Australian capacity for performing other missions, including non-SSN military missions for both Australia and the United States.”……..
A new United States congressional report openly contemplates not selling any nuclear submarines to Australia – as promised under the Aukusagreement – because America wants to retain control of the submarines for a potential conflict with China over Taiwan.
The report by the US Congressional Research Service, Congress’s policy research arm, posits an alternative “military division of labour” under which the submarines earmarked for sale to Australia are instead retained under US command to be sailed out of Australian bases.
One of the arguments made against the US selling submarines to Australia is that Australia has refused to commit to supporting America in a conflict with China over Taiwan. Boats under US command could be deployed into that conflict.
The report, released on 26 January, cites statements from the Australian defence minister, Richard Marles, and the chief of navy that Australia would make “no promises … that Australia would support the United States” in the event of war with China over Taiwan.
“Selling three to five Virginia-class SSNs [nuclear-powered general-purpose attack submarines] to Australia would thus convert those SSNs from boats that would be available for use in a US-China crisis or conflict into boats that might not be available for use in a US-China crisis or conflict,” the report argues. “This could weaken rather than strengthen deterrence and warfighting capability in connection with a US-China crisis or conflict.”
Under the existing Aukus “optimal pathway’, Australia will first buy between three and five Virginia-class nuclear-powered conventionally armed submarines, the first in 2032. Following that, the first of eight Australian-built Aukus submarines, based on a UK design, is slated to be in the water “in the early 2040s”.
But the Congressional Research report describes an alternative “military division of labour”, under which the US would not sell any Virginia-class submarines to Australia. The boats not sold to Australia “would instead be retained in US Navy service and operated out of Australia” alongside US and UK attack submarines already planned to rotate through Australian bases.
The report speculated Australia could use the money saved to invest on other defence capabilities, even using those capabilities as a subordinate force in support of US missions.
“Australia, instead of using funds to purchase, build, operate, and maintain its own SSNs, would instead invest those funds in other military capabilities – such as … long-range anti-ship missiles, drones, loitering munitions, B-21 long-range bombers … or systems for defending Australia against attack … so as to create an Australian capacity for performing other missions, including non-SSN military missions for both Australia and the United States.”……..
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From: australia
While it would save Australia a lot of money to have the US deploy 5 Virgina's here and we get on with the SSN-AUKUS, This has been looked at before by the US and not seen as best practice
So the clickbait headline focuses on a 2% what if, While the report is 98%, Including the review by Trump approving the sale, I won't quote it, there is a lot of detail
Navy Virginia-Class Submarine Program and AUKUS Submarine (Pillar 1) Project: Background and Issues for Congress | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
I didn't see Ronald O'Rourke, say that through AUKUS, Australia will be entering the supply chain, manufacturing for the Virginia, to ease the pressure
"Initial contracts focus on precision machining, castings, forgings, air/gas flasks, and fabricated parts to support U.S. shipbuilding, with 22+ Australian businesses involved in the pilot."
So the clickbait headline focuses on a 2% what if, While the report is 98%, Including the review by Trump approving the sale, I won't quote it, there is a lot of detail
Navy Virginia-Class Submarine Program and AUKUS Submarine (Pillar 1) Project: Background and Issues for Congress | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
I didn't see Ronald O'Rourke, say that through AUKUS, Australia will be entering the supply chain, manufacturing for the Virginia, to ease the pressure
"Initial contracts focus on precision machining, castings, forgings, air/gas flasks, and fabricated parts to support U.S. shipbuilding, with 22+ Australian businesses involved in the pilot."
Last edited by golder; 6th February 2026 at 00:41.
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,618
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From: aus
guardian hey lets just rehash something from last year and pretend its new.
This was released before the review by the US govt