Pentagon Launches Assessment of US-UK-Australia Pact
The study may heighten concerns among allies about the future of the trilateral alliance formed to counter China's military expansion. Australia, in particular, depends on Aukus to modernize its entire submarine fleet.
"The department is reviewing Aukus as part of ensuring that this initiative of the previous administration is aligned with the president's 'America first' agenda," a spokesperson for the Pentagon disclosed. "This means ensuring the highest readiness of our service members, that allies step up fully to do their part for collective defence and that the defence industrial base is meeting our needs."
The 2021 Biden-era pact would allow Australia to purchase nuclear-powered attack submarines, with the US committing to export up to five Virginia-class vessels by 2032. A new combined submarine class would be introduced in the early 2040s.
However, Elbridge Colby, the Aukus-skeptic US undersecretary of defence, is now supposedly charged with carrying out that attempt, according to many anonymous sources. Last year, Colby wrote on X that it "would be crazy" for the United States to have fewer nuclear submarines if a battle occurred over Taiwan.
The British government replied warily to the US study, saying: "Aukus is a historic security and defence collaboration with two of our closest allies. It is one of the most significant relationships in decades, promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions while also creating jobs and driving economic growth in communities throughout all three countries.
"It is reasonable that a new administration would want to reconsider its approach to such an important alliance, as the UK did last year. The UK will continue to collaborate closely with the United States and Australia at all levels to maximize the benefits and opportunities that Aukus provides for our three countries."
Only six countries now operate nuclear submarines, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, France, and India. Aukus would rank Australia seventh.
And, while US politicians usually support arrangements focused on national security, as Australia attempts to increase its security spending to meet Trump's desires, it now appears that its future is in doubt.
The assessment comes after Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth requested last week that Australia increase its military spending from 2% to 3.5% of GDP. The country's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has offered only 2.4%, asserting that Australia will determine its defence priorities.
Australia has already paid the US over A$800 million (US$520 million) this year to increase American submarine production, with another A$2 billion ($1.3 billion) expected by the end of the year. The country agreed to invest A$368 billion ($239 billion) in the program over a period of three decades.
Hours before the news emerged, the UK government announced a $7.69 billion investment in its nuclear submarine industry.
Aukus represents the three countries' most significant military cooperation in generations, extending beyond submarines to encompass hypersonic missiles and advanced weapons technology.