Overview
- A Pentagon review led by Elbridge Colby is due by year’s end to clarify AUKUS, with senior Australian officials saying one likely focus is entrenching US submarine rotations at HMAS Stirling from 2027.
- US law requires a president to certify any Virginia-class transfer will not degrade America’s undersea capability, a hurdle underscored by current build rates of about 1.13 boats a year versus the roughly 2.0–2.33 the Navy says it needs.
- House Armed Services Committee Democrat Adam Smith urged exploring cooperation with shipbuilders in Japan, South Korea or Norway to expand capacity for Aukus-related production and repair.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia has sent US$1bn to bolster US industrial capacity with another US$1bn due before Christmas, funding aimed at enabling future submarine purchases.
- China reiterated its opposition to the pact, warning against bloc confrontation and proliferation risks, as Australian experts raised questions about sovereignty and command if US-led submarines operate from Western Australia.