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Major step reached in AUKUS deal

The AUKUS agreement has reached another early milestone in the days before the second inauguration of incoming US president Donald Trump.

Australia will receive material and equipment to aid in the building of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS deal, following the activation of a trilateral agreement between the three major countries.

This comes after the AUKUS Naval Nuclear Propulsion Agreement came into effect over the weekend - just days before Donald Trump is inaugurated into the White House for the second time on Tuesday morning.

In December, the government also committed an extra $262m investment into boosting domestic economic opportunities around the AUKUS submarine program through the Defence Industry Development Grants Program, Global Supply Chain Program and Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program. 

The government estimates this will support around 125 businesses nationwide, with Australia set to receive the Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from 2030s. 

 

Australia, the US and the UK have begun sharing material and equipment related to the building of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement. Picture: NewsWire/ Nicholas Eagar
Australia, the US and the UK have begun sharing material and equipment related to the building of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement. Picture: NewsWire/ Nicholas Eagar


In comments shares just hours before the inauguration of Donald Trump, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said AUKUS “is happening now”. 

“We are continuing to build and invest in an Australian submarine industrial base capable of supporting our future nuclear-powered submarine fleet and underpinning a strong local economy over the coming decades,” he said. 

“This new AUKUS agreement now in effect will further bolster the strong continued progress the Australian government is making with AUKUS partners to deliver Australia this vital capability. 

Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Minister Pat Conroy said the government was focusing on ensuring Australian products would be used in US and UK supply chains. 

“These additional investments by the Albanese Government are further supporting Australian industry by enhancing access, building skills and bolstering commercial opportunities,” he said.

“Our commitments highlight the pivotal role of Australian industry in driving progress not just for our own conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines, but for the fleets of our AUKUS partners as well.”

 

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the AUKUS agreement would benefit Australia’s defence capabilities and boost local economies. Picture: NewsWire/ Martin Ollman
Defence Minister Richard Marles said the AUKUS agreement would benefit Australia’s defence capabilities and boost local economies. Picture: NewsWire/ Martin Ollman

 

Backing the significant agreement, incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio backed the AUKUS agreement, stating it will be strong supported by the Trump administration. 

“This obviously is more defence related, but it’s one example of how we can leverage the power of these partnerships with allies — two, three countries — in some cases broader … to reach outcomes and objectives such as creating a geopolitical and strategic balance in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond,” he told a senate committee overseeing his confirmation last week.

Author: Jessica Wang

Source: News Corp Australia Network:

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