“There's a schedule of payments to be made. We have an agreement with the United States as well as with the United Kingdom, it is about increasing their capacity, their industrial capacity,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
Republicans successfully batted down a number of Democratic amendments during the 14-hour markup session.
Michigan’s defense ecosystem and expertise makes it a special asset for production.
“While there is some risk and mixed signals from the Trump [administration], especially on the issue of US willingness to transfer Virginia-class subs to Australia, there is a potential upside if this review drives a more coherent US approach and cost/benefit approach towards AUKUS," analyst Euan Graham told Breaking Defense.
The modification, along with another $1.2 billion to prime contractor HII, is meant to fund two Virginia-class subs.
HASC will take up the bill on Tuesday in a marathon markup session that will allow Democrats the opportunity to amend the measure.
“The long-term play for Honeywell is we want to be able to expand our capacity and meet demand with increased and resilient supply chains,” Honeywell executive Lee Davis told Breaking Defense. “The organization sees Australia as a good place to invest in a secure, like-minded nation.”
Cybersecurity skills must evolve in near-real time as Zero Day threats continue and AI provides new challenges.
In this op-ed, Henry Sokolski argues Australia should switch its focus from buying Virginia-class submarines and instead put that money towards Pillar 2 technologies.
Congress has until Friday night to pass the continuing resolution before federal spending runs out, giving lawmakers a tight timeframe to move through procedural hurdles and avert a government shutdown.
“The Tomahawk is the jewel in the crown and a step change in our firepower, deterrence and ability to strike land-based targets at ranges never before available to the Royal Australian Navy," said Pat Conroy, Australia's minister for defense procurement.
At the same conference, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell urged the incoming Trump administration to work closely with Australia and New Zealand to counter a "relentless" China and not to turn inward.
The dry dock will be a centerpiece of the massive consolidation and expansion of shipyards and HMAS Stirling, potentially worth $20 billion.
"Adding a second submarine would require the Department to reduce the Next Generation Fighter program by $400 million, making the fighter program unexecutable and degrading the Navy's ability to field next generation aircraft capabilities required in the 2033 to 2037 timeframe,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
“[We] probably would need some time to figure out what the timetable is [for industry solicitations] because part of it requires three nations to commit funds, and so I wouldn't want to get ahead of anybody else's budget,” said a senior US defense official.
Feeling lost on defense budget matters after the August legislative recess? Breaking Defense has a primer for you.