Pentagon official and former Aukus sceptic says deal is ‘full steam ahead’, echoing Trump
Summary
Elbridge Colby, a senior Pentagon official, supports the Aukus nuclear submarine deal with Australia, aligning with President Donald Trump’s positive stance. The deal involves the U.S. selling Virginia-class submarines to Australia and helping Australia build its own nuclear-powered submarines by the 2040s.Key Facts
- Elbridge Colby is the third-highest-ranking official at the Pentagon and was once skeptical of the Aukus deal.
- Colby now says the Aukus submarine deal is “full steam ahead,” echoing President Trump’s position.
- The U.S. plans to sell Australia three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines, starting in 2032.
- Australia will later build up to eight of its own nuclear submarines, with the first expected in the early 2040s.
- The U.S. submarine production rate must increase from about 1.1 boats per year to over 2 boats per year to meet both U.S. and Australian needs.
- The U.S. Navy currently has only 49 submarines but aims to have 66 to meet its goals.
- Australia will manage the nuclear waste from its submarines, which must be safely stored for thousands of years.
- The Aukus deal could cost Australia up to A$368 billion by the mid-2050s.
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