Ann McDonnell, chief operating officer for Export Controls Australia Group, told Breaking Defense, “I think definitely from the Australian perspective, it really seemed like we had done everything possible that we could do in a really quick timeframe to get that certification.”
By Colin Clark and Tim MartinPart of the shakeup includes tens of billions for nuclear-powered subs, and halting the pricey procurement of an additional F-35 fighter jet squadron.
By Colin Clark“The deliberate toning down of criticism of Chinese behavior and policy in order to stabilize the bilateral relationship makes it very difficult to have these types of conversations,” said Lavina Lee, a security studies expert.
By Colin ClarkBreaking Defense’s Aaron Mehta and Justin Katz cover the major news from the first day of Sea Air Space 2024 and look to day two.
By Lee FerranAUKUS defense leaders today said they will talk with Japan about joining the military agreement as a Pillar II tech partner.
By Aaron MehtaAs for new nations potentially working on AUKUS Pillar II tech efforts, the State Department’s Kurt Campbell teased, “I think you’ll hear that we have something to say about that” next week.
By Tim MartinIn an interview with Breaking Defense, Andrew Hastie discussed keeping AUKUS a three-party arrangement, the housing issue it could create and the need for a new joint defense committee.
By Colin ClarkThe Pentagon’s DIU will manage the competition in conjunction with counterpart agencies in Australia and the United Kingdom.
By Justin KatzLike in its formal budget, the submarine industrial base is the top item in the Navy’s annual unfunded wishlist, which also aims to replace missiles used recently in the Red Sea.
By Justin Katz and Valerie InsinnaThe future warhead to replace submarine-launched Trident systems will be developed as a “sovereign” capability and “in parallel” with the US W93/Mk7 warhead, according to the Defence Nuclear Enterprise Command Paper.
By Tim Martin“We’re already making good progress on the design and development of the next generation submarine in the UK, where we have more than 1,000 people working on the SSN-AUKUS program and major infrastructure investment underway,” BAE Systems CEO Charles Woodburn said.
By Colin Clark“So that’s one thing I would encourage the [Australian] government to do, is be transparent as possible on what the plans ahead are so industry can can respond and be ready,” Northrop Grumman executive Tom Wears said.
By Colin ClarkJudith Collins, New Zealand’s Minister of Defence, tells Breaking Defense that no matter what happens with AUKUS, her government is “looking at as much interoperability” as possible with Australia.
By Tim Fish
In this op-ed, Under Secretary of the Navy Erik Raven lays out why he believes Congress should support the service’s 2025 budget request.
By Erik K. Raven