US-Australia talks on AUKUS changes have been underway for 18 months
The Australian government's talks with the US on requested changes to the AUKUS defence partnership have been under way for 18 months. ABC reported that the Pentagon is reviewing the cost and timeline parameters of the programme.
ABC News AustraliaAccording to ABC, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed that technical-level talks with the US on the three pillars of the AUKUS programme have been ongoing for 18 months. Marles said the talks are being held while remaining aligned with the programme's core objectives.
The review, coordinated by Pentagon Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, aims to ease pressure on the US's limited submarine manufacturing capacity. ABC reported that the US Senate Armed Services Committee will take up the matter at a hearing next week.
Lowy Institute analyst Sam Roggeveen, in an interview with ABC, discussed the partnership's role in the Indo-Pacific security architecture, saying timetable changes could affect Australia's decision to extend the life of its Collins-class submarines. Reuters reported that details of the talks are expected to become clearer by year end.
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