AUKUS faces threat of delay as Pentagon reviews submarine pact
WASHINGTON -- The AUKUS defense pact between the U.S., the U.K. and Australia faces the possibility of a major delay as the Pentagon has launched a review of the program.
The trilateral cooperation, a signature project of President Joe Biden and his Indo-Pacific czar Kurt Campbell, has fallen out of favor with Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, who has long questioned the merit of delivering submarines to foreign nations, while the availability of America's own fleet is in doubt due to manufacturing and maintenance bottlenecks at U.S. shipyards.
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Japan Today
an hour ago
- Japan Today
Hegseth says the Pentagon has contingency plans to invade Greenland, Panama if necessary
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth fields questions on the Pentagon budget from the House Armed Services Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, June 12, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) By LOLITA C. BALDOR and TARA COPP U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to acknowledge that the Pentagon has developed plans to take over Greenland and Panama by force if necessary but refused to answer repeated questions at a hotly combative congressional hearing Thursday about his use of Signal chats to discuss military operations. Democratic members of the House Armed Services Committee repeatedly got into heated exchanges with Hegseth, with some of the toughest lines of questioning coming from military veterans as many demanded yes or no answers and he tried to avoid direct responses about his actions as Pentagon chief. In one back-and-forth, Hegseth did provide an eyebrow-raising answer. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., asked whether the Pentagon has developed plans to take Greenland or Panama by force if necessary. 'Our job at the Defense Department is to have plans for any contingency,' Hegseth said several times. It is not unusual for the Pentagon to draw up contingency plans for conflicts that have not arisen, but his handling of the questions prompted a Republican lawmaker to step in a few minutes later. 'It is not your testimony today that there are plans at the Pentagon for taking by force or invading Greenland, correct?' said Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio. As Hegseth started to repeat his answer about contingency plans, Turner added emphatically, 'I sure as hell hope that is not your testimony.' 'We look forward to working with Greenland to ensure that it is secured from any potential threats,' Hegseth responded. Time and again, lawmakers pressed Hegseth to answer questions he has avoided for months, including during the two previous days of hearings on Capitol Hill. And frustration boiled over. "You're an embarrassment to this country. You're unfit to lead," Rep. Salud Carbajal snapped, the California Democrat's voice rising. 'You should just get the hell out.' GOP lawmakers on several occasions apologized to Hegseth for the Democrats' sharp remarks, saying he should not be subject to such 'flagrant disrespect.' Hegseth said he was 'happy to take the arrows' to make tough calls and do what's best. Hegseth's use of two Signal chats to discuss details of the U.S. plans to strike Houthi rebels in Yemen with other U.S. leaders as well as members of his family prompted dizzying exchanges with lawmakers. Hegseth was pressed multiple times over whether or not he shared classified information and if he should face accountability if he did. Hegseth argued that the classification markings of any information about those military operations could not be discussed with lawmakers. That became a quick trap, as Hegseth has asserted that nothing he posted — on strike times and munitions dropped in March — was classified. His questioner, Rep. Seth Moulton, a Massachusetts Democrat and Marine veteran, jumped on the disparity. 'You can very well disclose whether or not it was classified,' Moulton said. 'What's not classified is that it was an incredible, successful mission,' Hegseth responded. A Pentagon watchdog report on his Signal use is expected soon. Moulton asked Hegseth whether he would hold himself accountable if the inspector general finds that he placed classified information on Signal, a commercially available app. Hegseth would not directly say, only noting that he serves 'at the pleasure of the president.' He was asked if he would apologize to the mother of a pilot flying the strike mission for jeopardizing the operation and putting her son's life at risk. Hegseth said, 'I don't apologize for success.' Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who appeared along Hegseth, was questioned about Trump's speech at Fort Bragg this week and whether the military was becoming politicized. The Defense Department has a doctrine that prohibits troops from participating in political activity while in uniform. Members of the 82nd Airborne Division were directed to stand behind Trump at Fort Bragg, and they booed and cheered during his incendiary remarks, including condemnation of his predecessor, Joe Biden. There also was a pop-up MAGA merchandise stand selling souvenirs to troops in uniform. Caine repeatedly said U.S. service members must be apolitical but that he was unaware of anything that happened at Fort Bragg. Hegseth got into a sharp debate about whether women and transgender service members should serve in the military or combat jobs. He said he has worked to remove diversity programs and political correctness from the military. He said he has not politicized the military but simply wants the most capable troops. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., demanded to know if Hegseth believes that both men and women can pull a trigger, cause death, operate a drone or launch a missile. 'It depends on the context,' Hegseth said, adding that 'women carry equipment differently, a 155 round differently, a rucksack differently.' Hegseth, who has previously said women 'straight up' should not serve in combat, asserted that women have joined the military in record numbers under the Trump administration. He said the military 'standards should be high and equal.' He also was asked about three female service members — now being forced out as part of the Pentagon's move to ban transgender troops. Hegseth agreed that their accomplishments — which Houlahan read out — were to be celebrated, until he learned they were transgender. Republican lawmakers jumped to his defense, criticizing any Pentagon spending on gender transition surgery. President Donald Trump has said multiple times that he wants to take control of the strategic, mineral-rich island nation of Greenland, long a U.S. ally. Those remarks have been met with flat rejections from Greenland's leaders. 'Greenland is not for sale,' Jacob Isbosethsen, Greenland's representative to the U.S, said Thursday at a forum in Washington sponsored by the Arctic Institute. In an effort not to show the Pentagon's hand on its routine effort to have plans for everything, Hegseth danced around the direct question from Smith, leading to the confusion. 'Speaking on behalf of the American people, I don't think the American people voted for President Trump because they were hoping we would invade Greenland,' Smith said. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
NHK
10 hours ago
- NHK
Indonesia defense expo attracts global players
Indonesia is hosting its biennial international defense exhibition in Jakarta. Nearly 1200 companies from 32 countries, including the United States, China, and France are exhibiting in the fair, which is organized by the defense ministry. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who served as the defense minister in the previous administration, stressed his commitment to defense. Addressing the opening ceremony, he said that "history has told us that a nation that does not want to invest in its defense, usually will experience their independence being stolen away." Major foreign defense manufacturers are pitching their cutting-edge products to governments and military officials from around the world. China's presence is large with booths in almost every hall. Indonesia has already pledged to purchase French-made Rafale fighter jets. It is also considering the possibility of acquiring fighters from the US, China and Russia. The government plans to increase the ratio of defense spending to GDP. The expo continues through Saturday.
NHK
10 hours ago
- NHK
Australia 'confident' AUKUS goes forward
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said he is "confident" that AUKUS will proceed. This comes after the Trump administration launched a review into the trilateral security pact. A US Department of Defense official told NHK on Wednesday that the review is to ensure the pact aligns with President Donald Trump's "America first" agenda. The AUKUS defense pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States was reached in 2021 during the Biden administration. Under the deal, Australia would acquire nuclear-powered attack submarines from the US in the 2030s. Defense Minister Marles downplayed the news saying it is a multi-decade program where governments come and go. And "when new government's come into place I think you will see them undertake reviews of this kind and that's fine." The Financial Times reported that the review is being led by Elbridge Colby, a senior defense department official who has described himself as skeptical of the pact. The review comes after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called upon Australia to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP. An anticipated meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese looms on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit starting Sunday in Canada. Local media points out that Trump may use the review to pressure Australia into increasing the defense budget.
