Displaying items by tag: Aukus defence pact

The critical Aukus defence pact, agreed by Australia in 2021 with the USA and UK, to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, faces uncertainty as Donald Trump’s administration reviews its alignment with the ‘America First’ agenda. Valued at over $230 billion, Aukus promises Australia a strategic leap in military capability. However, some US officials are sceptical about the value of sharing its premier defence technology, and have cast doubt on allies ‘pulling their weight’. Australia's leaders are publicly calm, but anxieties are growing. Some warn that the deal was always fragile, while others urge Australia to reassess its dependence on the USA. With the Pentagon citing domestic submarine shortages and economic priorities, questions loom over whether Australia will ever receive the promised Virginia-class subs. Despite the turbulence, the alliance's strategic value in countering China remains. Experts argue that Australia could still defend itself independently, given its geography and resources, but emotional ties to the USA and fear of abandonment persist in national defence thinking.