Trump Declares AUKUS Submarine Program “All Set” as Australia Secures Assurance on $368B Defense Deal
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President Donald Trump assured Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that the AUKUS nuclear submarine program would proceed “full steam ahead,” providing clarity on the $368 billion defense partnership despite an ongoing US Department of War review that had created uncertainty about the deal’s future.
The confirmation came during Tuesday’s White House meeting when Trump directly addressed questions about the trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“There shouldn’t be any more clarifications because we’re just going full steam ahead on building them,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “With Anthony, we’ve worked on this long and hard. We’re starting that process right now. I think it’s really moving along very rapidly, very well.”
The AUKUS agreement, finalized in 2023 under former President Joe Biden, commits the United States to selling nuclear-powered submarines to Australia beginning in 2032. The total value of the arrangement reaches $368 billion, making it one of the largest defense procurements in Australian history.
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Trump’s unequivocal support came despite his administration launching a comprehensive Department of War review of existing defense commitments. That review had created concerns in Canberra about whether the new president would honor Biden-era agreements, particularly given Trump’s history of questioning alliance commitments and demanding increased defense spending from partners.
Prime Minister Albanese welcomed the assurance. “On defence, we’ve already had a discussion about taking it to the next level. Our defence and security partnership with AUKUS is so important for us and I thank you for the support that the administration are giving as well,” he said.
Albanese noted that Trump had received the Chief of the Australian Navy at the White House, signaling detailed engagement with the submarine program’s technical and operational requirements. “You’ve had the Chief of the Navy here as well, which will play obviously a very critical role with the subs and increasing the security for the region and the world,” the prime minister stated.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said she welcomed Trump’s affirmation while emphasizing the program’s importance. “I was pleased to see the assurances on AUKUS. That’s business as usual,” Ley told reporters in Sydney. “I was part of the Cabinet that approved AUKUS, both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2.”
Ley served as a minister in the previous Coalition government that negotiated the AUKUS framework before Labor’s electoral victory brought Albanese to power. Pillar 1 of AUKUS involves the submarine acquisition, while Pillar 2 encompasses broader defense technology cooperation including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and hypersonic weapons.
“To have the right words and the right framing around AUKUS, of course we welcome that,” Ley said, characterizing the submarine program as one item on “a long list of issues in the relationship” that required attention.
Trump’s description of the submarines as “all set” to proceed suggested his administration had completed its review of the AUKUS commitment and decided to honor the agreement. The president linked the submarine deal to broader military equipment sales to Australia.
“We’re here to talk about trade, submarines, lots of other military equipment. They’re big orders of our great military equipment. We have the best equipment anywhere in the world by far,” Trump said during opening remarks.
The nuclear submarine program represents a fundamental shift in Australia’s defense posture and naval capabilities. The country has operated conventional diesel-electric submarines but will transition to nuclear-powered vessels that offer significantly greater range, endurance, and operational capabilities.
Under the AUKUS timeline, Australia will purchase at least three Virginia-class submarines from the United States beginning in the early 2030s, with an option for two additional vessels. Subsequently, Australia and the United Kingdom will jointly develop a new submarine class called SSN-AUKUS, combining technologies from both nations.
The program requires extensive infrastructure development in Australia, including construction of submarine maintenance facilities and training of nuclear engineering personnel. Australia has committed to not developing nuclear weapons and will rely on US and UK support for nuclear fuel and maintenance.
Trump characterized the US-Australia alliance as unshakeable. “We’ve been long-term, long-time allies. And I would say there’s never been anybody better. We fought wars together. We never had any doubts,” he said.
Albanese emphasized the alliance’s historical roots. “We are great friends and we’re great allies. And this is a relationship that’s been forged in the battlefields of the world. We have stood side by side for freedom and democracy,” the prime minister stated.
The AUKUS affirmation came as the Indo-Pacific region experiences rising tensions, particularly regarding Chinese military assertiveness. Australia views nuclear submarines as essential to maintaining regional security and deterring potential threats.
China has consistently criticized the AUKUS arrangement, arguing it represents nuclear proliferation and destabilizes regional security. Chinese officials have characterized the submarine deal as evidence of an Anglo-American alliance aimed at containing China’s rise.
Trump’s comments suggested he viewed AUKUS through the lens of military equipment sales and alliance management rather than the broader strategic framework Biden had emphasized regarding countering Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific.
“We’re starting that process right now,” Trump said of submarine construction, though existing timelines indicate actual delivery of vessels remains years away. The president appeared to conflate initiating the process with rapid completion, characteristic of his typically optimistic timelines.
For Australia, securing Trump’s commitment removed a significant source of uncertainty. The nine-month delay in arranging a Trump-Albanese meeting had fueled concerns that the US might waver on major defense commitments or demand renegotiated terms.
Defense analysts noted that unwinding AUKUS would have created enormous complications for Australia’s long-term defense planning and potentially damaged the broader alliance relationship. Trump’s clear support provides the certainty needed to proceed with infrastructure investments and personnel training.
However, the program still faces significant implementation challenges including managing costs, developing infrastructure, and maintaining bipartisan political support over the decades required to deliver operational submarines. The $368 billion price tag represents a substantial commitment for Australia’s defense budget.
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