(US, 12th) The US Department of Defense confirmed on the 11th that the Pentagon has officially begun reassessing the trilateral security partnership (AUKUS) agreement signed during President Biden's administration among the US, UK, and Australia, to “ensure that allies fully contribute to mutual defense.”
US Department of Defense officials pointed out that the purpose of the Pentagon's assessment of this agreement is to ensure alignment with President Trump's 'America First' agenda, including “ensuring that allies fully contribute to mutual defense,” while also ensuring the highest readiness of the US military and that the US defense industrial base meets the nation's own needs.
In September 2021, the leaders of the US, UK, and Australia jointly announced the establishment of a trilateral security partnership and initiated nuclear submarine cooperation. Australia is a non-nuclear country, and the tripartite promotion of nuclear submarine cooperation poses significant nuclear proliferation risks, raising concerns and worries internationally about the deepening military alliance between the three countries undermining regional security and stability.
Nevertheless, Australia stated on the 12th that it is “very confident” that the US will agree to equip its navy with a nuclear submarine fleet in the future.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Marles said, “I am very confident this will happen. I don’t think the announced review is surprising.”
He told Australia's public broadcaster ABC, “We’ve been aware of this for some time. We welcome this. It’s a very natural move for the new government.”
US Department of Defense officials pointed out that the purpose of the Pentagon's assessment of this agreement is to ensure alignment with President Trump's 'America First' agenda, including “ensuring that allies fully contribute to mutual defense,” while also ensuring the highest readiness of the US military and that the US defense industrial base meets the nation's own needs.
In September 2021, the leaders of the US, UK, and Australia jointly announced the establishment of a trilateral security partnership and initiated nuclear submarine cooperation. Australia is a non-nuclear country, and the tripartite promotion of nuclear submarine cooperation poses significant nuclear proliferation risks, raising concerns and worries internationally about the deepening military alliance between the three countries undermining regional security and stability.
Nevertheless, Australia stated on the 12th that it is “very confident” that the US will agree to equip its navy with a nuclear submarine fleet in the future.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Marles said, “I am very confident this will happen. I don’t think the announced review is surprising.”
He told Australia's public broadcaster ABC, “We’ve been aware of this for some time. We welcome this. It’s a very natural move for the new government.”