Australia’s largest-ever defence agreement, AUKUS, appears to have successfully passed a US government review, paving the way for its continuation ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to Washington next month.
The review began in June under Elbridge Colby, a close ally of President Donald Trump and a known critic of multilateral defence arrangements. Its purpose was to assess whether AUKUS aligns with Trump’s America First doctrine, which prioritises US national interests.
According to Japan’s Nikkei newspaper, Colby has now cleared the AUKUS deal, opening the way for its final confirmation at the leadership level. Although Canberra has not yet received official notification, US defence officials have stated that the agreement remains “in place.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed on Tuesday that AUKUS is not in question, emphasising that it is a trilateral treaty between Australia, the US, and the UK. “This partnership is moving forward – that’s not in doubt. We are fully confident in the commitment of all parties,” he told the ABC.
Similarly, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking in London last week, reiterated that the agreement serves the strategic interests of all three nations. “There is no indication of anything other than full support for AUKUS going forward. It is in the interest of Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom,” he said.
Under AUKUS, Australia will acquire at least three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the US and build a further five domestically, at an estimated total cost of $368 billion. Canberra has already invested billions in training personnel, establishing technological infrastructure, and building shipyard capacity.
Any cancellation of the agreement would have dealt a major blow to Australia’s long-term defence strategy in the 21st century, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific. However, Washington’s approval appears to secure the continuation of this ambitious program, reinforcing Australia’s position as a reliable ally alongside the United States and the United Kingdom.
