WASHINGTON: The Pentagon mentioned on Monday (Dec 1) it has endorsed the tripartite AUKUS safety pact with the UK and Australia, which might contain Canberra’s acquisition of at least three Virginia-class nuclear submarines inside 15 years.
The administration of Donald Trump mentioned earlier this yr it was reviewing a 2021 deal for the nuclear-powered assault subs signed underneath his presidential predecessor Joe Biden.
The Division of Protection accomplished its five-month assessment, which endorsed the AUKUS settlement and decided it’s “in alignment with President Trump’s America First agenda”, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell mentioned in an announcement.
“In step with President Trump’s steering that AUKUS ought to transfer ‘full steam forward’, the assessment recognized alternatives to place AUKUS on the strongest attainable footing.”
Congressman Joe Courtney, the highest Democrat on a US Home subcommittee on sea energy, mentioned the assessment’s completion assures that the pact’s “framework is aligned with our nation’s nationwide safety curiosity”.
“With its completion, it is very important word that the 2021 AUKUS settlement has now survived three modifications of presidency in all three nations and nonetheless stands sturdy.”
Courtney is a vocal champion of AUKUS in Congress, and represents a Connecticut district that’s dwelling to the first submarine manufacturing facility within the US.
