UK’s $1 billion AUKUS support request signals strong ongoing US collaboration
The latest foreign military sales request from the UK has implications for the future of the programme and collaboration between the three nations.
The effort to modernise two Republic of China Navy (ROCN) diesel-electric submarines was boosted in May with the announcement that they will undergo an upgrade at the cooperative hands of RH Marine and the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology (NCSIST).
After 30 years in service, the modernisation of these Hai Lung-class submarines is a major step forward in achieving the Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) programme that kicked off two years ago.
A year ago a report revealed that RH Marine of the Netherlands was involved in the submarine upgrade, but officials immediately denied it.
The programme is
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The latest foreign military sales request from the UK has implications for the future of the programme and collaboration between the three nations.
The USCG plans to award a contract this year for the construction of Homeland Security Cutters. The new vessels will replace the 60-plus-year-old fleet of Light Icebreaking Tugs.
The expansion of the Redstone facility in Alabama will enable Raytheon to increase production of Standard Missiles in the location by 50% and support Washington in refilling stockpiles after recent operations have depleted the Pentagon’s reserves.
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.