Pentagon Confirms Review of Aukus Nuclear Submarine Pact

The Trump administration is conducting a 30-day review of the Aukus security pact between the United States, Britain, and Australia, which aims to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines as a strategic counter to China's regional influence. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth assured Congress that lawmakers would be involved in the review and defended the commitment to deliver the submarines despite concerns over production delays and the US Navy's current shortfall in submarine inventory. Hegseth criticized the previous Biden administration for neglecting the submarine industrial base, emphasizing the importance of submarine construction to US security and ongoing communication with shipbuilders to address production challenges. Australia and Britain have been notified about the review, and all parties remain committed to the pact. The deal, originally signed in 2021, also includes cooperation on cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, and hypersonic missile development. China opposes the Aukus pact, viewing it as escalating bloc confrontation and nuclear proliferation risks.