AUKUS
Pentagon launches review to decide if US should scrap AUKUS The Pentagon has launched a review of the 2021 AUKUS submarine deal with the UK and Australia to determine if the US should scrap the project. Ending the submarine and advanced technology development…
If we go to war, submarines come too: How US could demand AUKUS changes
Sources familiar with the review by Trump’s undersecretary of defence, Elbridge Colby, believe he intends to urge major changes to the program before Australia can get the nuclear submarines it has been promised.
Two Australian officials said one option for Colby was to seek more money for the US submarine industry, which Australia is already contributing $4.7 billion towards.
Two other Australian sources, one in the political establishment and one in defence who have both spoken to Colby, said Colby believed Australia should give a public declaration or private guarantee that US-made nuclear submarines would be used in a possible conflict with China.
Sources familiar with the review by Trump’s undersecretary of defence, Elbridge Colby, believe he intends to urge major changes to the program before Australia can get the nuclear submarines it has been promised.
Two Australian officials said one option for Colby was to seek more money for the US submarine industry, which Australia is already contributing $4.7 billion towards.
Two other Australian sources, one in the political establishment and one in defence who have both spoken to Colby, said Colby believed Australia should give a public declaration or private guarantee that US-made nuclear submarines would be used in a possible conflict with China.
US demands to know what allies would do in event of war over Taiwan
The Pentagon is pressing Japan and Australia to make clear what role they would play if the US and China went to war over Taiwan, in an effort that has frustrated the two most important American allies in the Indo-Pacific.
The Pentagon is pressing Japan and Australia to make clear what role they would play if the US and China went to war over Taiwan, in an effort that has frustrated the two most important American allies in the Indo-Pacific.
North Korea's Kim, hosting Lavrov, says he will support Russia to resolve Ukraine war
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Russia's top diplomat his country was ready to "unconditionally support" Moscow's every effort to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, state media reported on Sunday, as the two countries held high-level strategic talks.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Russia's top diplomat his country was ready to "unconditionally support" Moscow's every effort to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, state media reported on Sunday, as the two countries held high-level strategic talks.
South Korea states intent to take wartime military control from US
South Korea's incoming defense minister said Tuesday the government will endeavor to retake wartime operational control of its troops from the U.S. The move would be a key change in how the two countries handle defending South Korea against the nuclear-armed North.
South Korea's incoming defense minister said Tuesday the government will endeavor to retake wartime operational control of its troops from the U.S. The move would be a key change in how the two countries handle defending South Korea against the nuclear-armed North.
Thailand F-16 jet bombs Cambodian targets as border clash escalates
A Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed targets in Cambodia, both sides said, as weeks of tension over a border dispute escalated into clashes on Thursday that have killed at least 12 people, including 11 civilians.
Of the six F-16 fighter jets that Thailand readied to deploy along the disputed border, one of the aircraft fired into Cambodia and destroyed a military target, the Thai army said. Both countries accused each other of starting the clash early on Thursday.
A Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed targets in Cambodia, both sides said, as weeks of tension over a border dispute escalated into clashes on Thursday that have killed at least 12 people, including 11 civilians.
Of the six F-16 fighter jets that Thailand readied to deploy along the disputed border, one of the aircraft fired into Cambodia and destroyed a military target, the Thai army said. Both countries accused each other of starting the clash early on Thursday.
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Australia, Britain sign 50-year AUKUS submarine partnership treaty
Australia's government said on Saturday it signed a treaty with Britain to bolster cooperation over the next 50 years on the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership.
Australia's government said on Saturday it signed a treaty with Britain to bolster cooperation over the next 50 years on the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership.
The Geelong Treaty will enable comprehensive cooperation on the design, build, operation, sustainment, and disposal of our SSN-AUKUS submarines.
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AUKUS
Thailand F-16 jet bombs Cambodian targets as border clash escalates A Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed targets in Cambodia, both sides said, as weeks of tension over a border dispute escalated into clashes on Thursday that have killed at least 12 people, including…
Thailand, Cambodia agree unconditional ceasefire
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire in their five-day cross-border conflict over disputed ownership of temples and other territory that has killed at least 34 people and displaced more than 270,000.
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire in their five-day cross-border conflict over disputed ownership of temples and other territory that has killed at least 34 people and displaced more than 270,000.
Australia won’t receive AUKUS nuclear submarines unless US doubles shipbuilding, admiral warns
The US cannot sell any Virginia-class nuclear submarines to Australia without doubling its production rate, because it is making too few for its own defence, the navy’s nominee for chief of operations has told Congress.
The US Navy estimates it needs to be building Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 2.00 a year to meet its own defence requirements, and about 2.33 to have enough boats to sell any to Australia. It is currently building Virginia-class submarines at a rate of about 1.13 a year, senior admirals say.
The US cannot sell any Virginia-class nuclear submarines to Australia without doubling its production rate, because it is making too few for its own defence, the navy’s nominee for chief of operations has told Congress.
The US Navy estimates it needs to be building Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 2.00 a year to meet its own defence requirements, and about 2.33 to have enough boats to sell any to Australia. It is currently building Virginia-class submarines at a rate of about 1.13 a year, senior admirals say.
Philippines, India hold first joint naval drill in disputed South China Sea
India and the Philippines have staged their first joint sail and naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea.
The two-day joint military deployment that kicked off on Sunday is likely to anger China, which claims nearly the entire key waterway and has separate territorial disputes with the two Asian countries.
India and the Philippines have staged their first joint sail and naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea.
The two-day joint military deployment that kicked off on Sunday is likely to anger China, which claims nearly the entire key waterway and has separate territorial disputes with the two Asian countries.
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China and Russia begin joint military drills in Sea of Japan
China and Russia have begun joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan as they seek to reinforce their partnership and counterbalance what they see as a United States-led global order.
After the drills, the two countries will conduct naval patrols in “relevant waters of the Pacific”.
China and Russia have begun joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan as they seek to reinforce their partnership and counterbalance what they see as a United States-led global order.
After the drills, the two countries will conduct naval patrols in “relevant waters of the Pacific”.
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Australia picks Mitsubishi over German rival Thyssenkrupp for $6.5bn defence deal
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has been selected as the preferred bidder to build a new fleet of Australian frigates, beating German rival Thyssenkrupp in a significant win for Japan’s defence industry.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has been selected as the preferred bidder to build a new fleet of Australian frigates, beating German rival Thyssenkrupp in a significant win for Japan’s defence industry.
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China criticises Canadian, Australian warships transiting Taiwan Strait
China’s military said its forces had followed and warned a Canadian and an Australian warship, which were sailing through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, in a move it criticised as a provocation.
China’s military said its forces had followed and warned a Canadian and an Australian warship, which were sailing through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, in a move it criticised as a provocation.
The actions of the Canadians and Australians send the wrong signals and increase security risks.
Japan to start talks over frigate exports to the Philippines
Japan is set to begin talks with the Philippines about the export of frigates and air-defense radars, in a move aimed at strengthening interoperability and boosting the Southeast Asian nation's defense capabilities amid China's growing naval presence in the East and South China Seas.
Japan is set to begin talks with the Philippines about the export of frigates and air-defense radars, in a move aimed at strengthening interoperability and boosting the Southeast Asian nation's defense capabilities amid China's growing naval presence in the East and South China Seas.
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Rubio quietly signals U.S. won’t sink submarine deal with Australia
Secretary of State Marco Rubio privately reassured a top Australian official that a deal to provide the U.S. ally with nuclear-powered submarines, which is under review by the Pentagon, will not be terminated, according to six people familiar with the matter.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio privately reassured a top Australian official that a deal to provide the U.S. ally with nuclear-powered submarines, which is under review by the Pentagon, will not be terminated, according to six people familiar with the matter.
AUKUS survives Pentagon review, with US submarine sales to proceed
The Trump administration will proceed with the AUKUS defense pact linking the U.S., U.K. and Australia, maintaining the original timeline that includes the sale of three Virginia-class submarines to Canberra beginning in 2032.
The Trump administration will proceed with the AUKUS defense pact linking the U.S., U.K. and Australia, maintaining the original timeline that includes the sale of three Virginia-class submarines to Canberra beginning in 2032.
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Australia accuses China of 'unsafe' military jet manoeuvres
Australia has accused a Chinese military aircraft of releasing flares "in close proximity" to its patrol jet over the South China Sea.
There was no damage to Australia's P-8A aircraft and its personnel were unharmed after Sunday's encounter.
A Chinese military spokesperson said the Australian jet "illegally intruded" into China's airspace and had to be expelled.
Australia has accused a Chinese military aircraft of releasing flares "in close proximity" to its patrol jet over the South China Sea.
There was no damage to Australia's P-8A aircraft and its personnel were unharmed after Sunday's encounter.
A Chinese military spokesperson said the Australian jet "illegally intruded" into China's airspace and had to be expelled.
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Trump ends AUKUS uncertainty with firm backing for Albanese
Donald Trump has effectively ended months of speculation over the future of the $368-billion AUKUS submarine pact, pledging the United States will go "full steam ahead" with the deal during his first face-to-face meeting with Anthony Albanese.
Donald Trump has effectively ended months of speculation over the future of the $368-billion AUKUS submarine pact, pledging the United States will go "full steam ahead" with the deal during his first face-to-face meeting with Anthony Albanese.
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AUKUS
Trump ends AUKUS uncertainty with firm backing for Albanese Donald Trump has effectively ended months of speculation over the future of the $368-billion AUKUS submarine pact, pledging the United States will go "full steam ahead" with the deal during his first…
AUKUS architect says concerns remain over deal's future despite Donald Trump backing
One of the architects of the AUKUS submarine pact has dismissed assurances given by Donald Trump about the $368 billion deal's future, warning that promises from the notoriously unpredictable US president are worthless.
One of the architects of the AUKUS submarine pact has dismissed assurances given by Donald Trump about the $368 billion deal's future, warning that promises from the notoriously unpredictable US president are worthless.
Trump is so unreliable no-one can rely on his word beyond 24 hours, so the best thing to always do with him is prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
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AUKUS
Trump ends AUKUS uncertainty with firm backing for Albanese Donald Trump has effectively ended months of speculation over the future of the $368-billion AUKUS submarine pact, pledging the United States will go "full steam ahead" with the deal during his first…
AUKUS review set to conclude next month after summer of confusion
The Pentagon's review of AUKUS is likely to conclude in the first half of December, clearing up the fog over plans to deliver U.S.-made nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.
The Trump administration is expected to officially endorse the Biden-era defense pact, which includes Australia, the U.K. and U.S., to coincide with the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) between defense and foreign chiefs that is being planned for Washington.
The Pentagon's review of AUKUS is likely to conclude in the first half of December, clearing up the fog over plans to deliver U.S.-made nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.
The Trump administration is expected to officially endorse the Biden-era defense pact, which includes Australia, the U.K. and U.S., to coincide with the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) between defense and foreign chiefs that is being planned for Washington.
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AUKUS
AUKUS review set to conclude next month after summer of confusion The Pentagon's review of AUKUS is likely to conclude in the first half of December, clearing up the fog over plans to deliver U.S.-made nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. The Trump administration…
AUKUS review concludes, with US saying 'full steam ahead'
The U.S. Department of Defense has concluded a review of the AUKUS defense partnership with Australia and the U.K., a Pentagon spokesperson said Thursday, declaring that the pact will proceed at full speed.
The announcement confirms that the Joe Biden-era plan lives on despite voices in the administration of President Donald Trump expressing concern that the U.S. does not have the industrial capability to sell three to five nuclear-powered attack submarines to Australia, beginning in 2032.
The U.S. Department of Defense has concluded a review of the AUKUS defense partnership with Australia and the U.K., a Pentagon spokesperson said Thursday, declaring that the pact will proceed at full speed.
The announcement confirms that the Joe Biden-era plan lives on despite voices in the administration of President Donald Trump expressing concern that the U.S. does not have the industrial capability to sell three to five nuclear-powered attack submarines to Australia, beginning in 2032.