Lawmakers Press Trump Administration on Nuclear Sub Deal with Australia, UK
- The Trump administration initiated a 30-day review in June 2025 of the AUKUS pact to supply Australia with Virginia-class nuclear submarines starting in the early 2030s.
- The review arose amid concerns that the US Navy’s 49 submarines fall short of its 66 needed and build rates have stagnated around 1.2 per year at two shipyards.
- Australia committed $3 billion and has over 120 sailors training for nuclear submarine operations while political and industry efforts push to sustain AUKUS amid workforce challenges.
- Vice-Admirals Mead and Hammond affirmed no alternative to Virginia-class subs exists for Australia, and five US congressmen called AUKUS critical to deterring Chinese aggression.
- If the review leads to contract cancellation, Australia risks losing billions invested but officials remain confident the partnership can overcome shortfalls and proceed.
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Lawmakers press Trump administration on nuclear sub deal with Australia, UK
A group of bipartisan lawmakers sent a Monday letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressing support for the trilateral security partnership known as “AUKUS” amid a 30 day review from the Department of Defense (DOD). Under the deal, the United States is providing nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy while partnering with the United…


US congressmen on both sides urge Trump to continue AUKUS sub deal
US politicians who have championed AUKUS have stepped up lobbying efforts with the Trump administration, saying the defence technology pact is "critical" to deterring "Chinese aggression".
As the U.S. Department of Defense conducts a comprehensive review of the AUKUS trilateral nuclear submarine agreement, several lawmakers from both parties said on Tuesday (June 24) that the agreement is crucial to "deterring China (CCP) in the Indo-Pacific region" and urged the Trump administration to support the agreement.
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