Biden Halves Nuclear Submarine Production in 2025 AUKUS Subs in Doubt! #defencenews #australia #navy
Channel: Soldiers Five
Date: 2024-03-13

The AUKUS submarine deal has come under threat this week as the Biden administration revealed they will only be building one submarine next year in the 2025 defence budget.  

The AUKUS deal agreed in 2021 between the US, UK and Australia included the initial delivery of three US-made Virginia class submarines to Australia from 2032. This commitment, however, depends on the US meeting production targets of an average 2.3 vessels a year. 

Rear Admiral Ben Reynolds, Under Secretary of the Navy, said the Pentagon would be on track to build two submarines a year by 2028. 

The budget set aside $3.9 billion USD ($5.9 billion AUD) in 2025 and $11.1 billion USD over five years to build up the submarine industrial base. 

Reynolds had this to say. 

Quote ‘‘It’s one in one year, and we have a plan to procure two in the out years. We’re being very transparent with all our partners about where we are and the scale of investments that we’re making in this budget and that are pending before Congress,’’ End Quote. 

Prime Minister Albanese at least doesn’t seem concerned stating he was briefed by US officials prior to the public announcement.