Pentagon Reconsiders Biden-Era Nuclear Submarine Deal with Australia Amid Domestic Challenges

The Pentagon is contemplating a withdrawal from the nuclear submarine agreement established during Joe Biden’s presidency with Australia and the United Kingdom. This evaluation arises amidst ongoing shipbuilding challenges within the United States.

A U.S. defense official stated that the Department of Defense is reviewing the AUKUS initiative to ensure its alignment with President Biden’s ‘America First’ policy. This assessment aims to confirm that the initiative meets strategic requirements while enhancing the readiness of U.S. service members.

According to the official, Secretary Hegseth emphasized the importance of allies fully participating in collective defense efforts, as well as ensuring that the defense industrial base satisfies national needs. This comprehensive review aims to assess whether the agreement meets the practical standards set forth in the America First doctrine.

Background of the AUKUS Deal

The agreement, initially crafted in response to China’s expanding military influence across the Indo-Pacific region, involves the U.S. and the UK assisting Australia in acquiring conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. It outlines an initial purchase of several Virginia-class submarines by Canberra in the early 2030s, with plans for the three nations to jointly design a new class of submarines. Australian production is set to commence in the 2040s.

Moreover, the nations have pledged to cooperate on various technological fronts, including cyber capabilities, quantum technology, artificial intelligence, hypersonics, and deep-sea radar systems.

Concerns Over Production Capacity

During a confirmation hearing in March, Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s policy chief, expressed concern regarding the feasibility of providing Australia with nuclear-powered submarines while the U.S. struggles to meet its own production targets. He noted that without sufficient numbers of attack submarines being produced rapidly, U.S. servicemen and women could face strategic disadvantages.

Colby explained that while the goal is to enhance Australia’s naval capabilities, the Pentagon needs to ensure that its priorities for domestic defense readiness are met first.

Australia’s Defense Spending Plans

Australia has pledged to increase its defense spending to 2.4% of its GDP by the mid-2030s. However, U.S. officials are advocating for a more accelerated rate of increase, urging Australia to aim for a 3.5% defense budget.

During a recent meeting in Singapore, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated this position to Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, highlighting the critical need for Australia to bolster its defense budget as global security concerns rise.

Support from Military Leadership

Admiral Sam Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, expressed strong support for the AUKUS initiative, describing it as crucial in providing a strategic advantage. He noted that establishing a submarine base in the Indian Ocean would significantly enhance the responsiveness of U.S. forces to potential threats in the South China Sea compared to locations like Hawaii, Washington, or San Diego.

Concerns From Lawmakers

While Congress has allocated billions of dollars to enhance submarine and shipbuilding capabilities, some lawmakers have raised concerns about the transparency and clarity of the Pentagon’s plans. Experts estimate that China’s shipbuilding capacity eclipses that of the U.S. by approximately 230 times, intensifying calls for improved U.S. naval readiness.

Representative Rosa DeLauro, a senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, recently questioned Hegseth regarding these shipbuilding plans. She voiced her unease, highlighting the existing gaps in the U.S. naval capabilities.

Hegseth acknowledged these gaps but stated that the Pentagon believes it is closing the deficiencies in production capacity.

However, DeLauro replied with skepticism, demanding substantive data and details to back up Hegseth’s claims. She emphasized the criticism directed at the previous administration’s handling of defense matters and pressed for a more concrete plan moving forward.

Looking Ahead

The future of the AUKUS agreement remains uncertain as the Pentagon weighs the implications of backing out. Domestic shipbuilding challenges and the need for strong military readiness are paramount concerns influencing the deliberations. As this situation unfolds, the U.S., Australia, and the UK will remain engaged in discussions about the best path forward to enhance their collective security interests in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.