As Australian resistance rises, is AUKUS in trouble?
An artist’s impression of the AUKUS SSN submarine. (Image: BAE Systems)
The tripartite submarine project is under political pressure from a grass-roots Australian Labor Party movement, but it could also have practical issues in its way.
AUKUS, the long-term, two-stranded defence agreement between the US, the UK and Australia, faces a serious of hurdle to overcome if it is ever to achieve its goals. Since the election of Donald Trump in the US, and his administration’s dramatic shift on defence spending and the use of tariffs, there has been growing popular and political concern in Australia over whether the deal makes sense.
So can AUKUS survive the drop-off in Australian support? And are there other elements of the plan that should concern the industry?
The terms of AUKUS, as set out in 2021, exist in two “pillars”.
In
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Eureka Naval Craft and Strategic Marine make pitch to build next-gen Aircat Bengal MC craft]()
Eureka Naval Craft and Strategic Marine make pitch to build next-gen Aircat Bengal MC craft
A vessel currently used in the offshore oil and gas sector could act as an alternative to corvettes and frigates, claims US shipbuilder.
-
![NATO seeks suppliers for a new, improved variant of the Sea Sparrow missile]()
NATO seeks suppliers for a new, improved variant of the Sea Sparrow missile
The NATO Sparrow Project Office has outlined its interest in exploring cutting-edge technologies to be integrated into the ESSM Next Significant Variant.
-
![Hanwha commits $5 billion to improving Philadelphia shipyard]()
Hanwha commits $5 billion to improving Philadelphia shipyard
Hanwha Group said the cash would be dedicated to boosting the Philadelphia-based shipyard’s capacity and output.
-
![Taiwan entrusts USVs with task of deterring a PLA amphibious invasion]()
Taiwan entrusts USVs with task of deterring a PLA amphibious invasion
Drawing lessons from Ukraine’s Black Sea experience, Taiwan is investing heavily in unmanned surface vessels to strengthen its asymmetric defence strategy against potential PLA amphibious assaults.
-
![US Coast Guard sets sail in search of robotics and CUAS capabilities]()
US Coast Guard sets sail in search of robotics and CUAS capabilities
The USCG has been increasing efforts to accelerate the process to develop, procure, deploy and sustain autonomous and counter-uncrewed systems across its fleet.
-
![Managing risk in a changing world: how the Royal Navy can win]()
Managing risk in a changing world: how the Royal Navy can win
A fighting force such as the Royal Navy must inevitably focus on its core capabilities, platforms and readiness. But to avoid unexpected outcomes and costly oversights, a complex organisation like this needs to be underpinned by sound enterprise-level risk management principles and systems.
