Latest news with #Astute-class
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Let's scuttle AUKUS before it sinks
In a welcome display of proper process and reasonable judgment, the Australian government has committed to buy 11 Mogami-class frigates from Japan to replace the ageing ANZAC-class frigates (three to be built in Japan, the rest in Western Australia). The Mogami-class is an advanced and settled design; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is experienced and seemingly reliably produces these ships; and Japan is an important security partner in Australia's region. It is a positive departure from the theatre of the absurd that has recently characterised the Australian government's approach to security, especially its pandering to British delusions and determination to flog the dead horse that is AUKUS. Just the preceding month of July saw a conga line of such folly. Examples are as memorable as they are depressing. Britain's commitment to the defence of Australia was declared to be ' absolute ', according to the UK Defence Secretary John Healey, in a show of solidarity as substantive as a mirage within a hologram within a dream. But it is not Australia's dream. Australia remembers the fall of Singapore and the tissue-like protection of British security guarantees. It is exclusively a British dream, and one that should receive no traction in Australia. At the heart of this imperial hallucination lies the AUKUS fallacy – the belief that Australia's defence and security is well served by the acquisition of eight nuclear-powered submarines; that the US will magically increase production of its Virginia Class submarines from 1.2 to 2.3 per year, enabling it to share some with Australia; and that the UK and Australia are capable of developing from scratch a new nuclear-powered submarine within a suitable timeframe and to an acceptable level of reliability and capability (noting that Britain's current Astute-class nuclear attack submarines are often not at sea, including now, when all seven of them are wharf-side in repair or awaiting repair). The deficiencies and contradictions in the AUKUS submarine project are so great that in the commercial world such a prospectus would not gain one investor. It is accordingly irresponsible for the Australian government to bankroll such a doomed venture to the tune of $368 billion, which could be better used in real, effective and appropriate defence platforms and munitions, equipment and personnel, not to mention hospitals, schools or even houses. Loading Apart from the unfortunate but telling example of British maritime industrial inability as demonstrated by the Astute-class submarine, Australia has also been burdened by Britain's contribution to the Hunter frigates, which Strategic Analysis Australia director Michael Shoebridge has described as a ludicrous waste of money for very little military capability. In this context, the bilateral Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Treaty, known as the Geelong Treaty, signed by Australia's Defence Minister, Richard Marles, and Healey, condemns Australia to providing the UK with ongoing industrial support for the next 50 years. Of course, the signatories present the heralded collaboration as vital to Australian and UK shared security interests, but such an assertion collapses under analysis of UK security interests in Australia's region, UK military capabilities available now or in the future to defend Australia, and UK military industrial capabilities to design, manufacture and maintain the submarine capabilities of its imaginings.
The Age
3 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Let's scuttle AUKUS before it sinks
In a welcome display of proper process and reasonable judgment, the Australian government has committed to buy 11 Mogami-class frigates from Japan to replace the ageing ANZAC-class frigates (three to be built in Japan, the rest in Western Australia). The Mogami-class is an advanced and settled design; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is experienced and seemingly reliably produces these ships; and Japan is an important security partner in Australia's region. It is a positive departure from the theatre of the absurd that has recently characterised the Australian government's approach to security, especially its pandering to British delusions and determination to flog the dead horse that is AUKUS. Just the preceding month of July saw a conga line of such folly. Examples are as memorable as they are depressing. Britain's commitment to the defence of Australia was declared to be ' absolute ', according to the UK Defence Secretary John Healey, in a show of solidarity as substantive as a mirage within a hologram within a dream. But it is not Australia's dream. Australia remembers the fall of Singapore and the tissue-like protection of British security guarantees. It is exclusively a British dream, and one that should receive no traction in Australia. At the heart of this imperial hallucination lies the AUKUS fallacy – the belief that Australia's defence and security is well served by the acquisition of eight nuclear-powered submarines; that the US will magically increase production of its Virginia Class submarines from 1.2 to 2.3 per year, enabling it to share some with Australia; and that the UK and Australia are capable of developing from scratch a new nuclear-powered submarine within a suitable timeframe and to an acceptable level of reliability and capability (noting that Britain's current Astute-class nuclear attack submarines are often not at sea, including now, when all seven of them are wharf-side in repair or awaiting repair). The deficiencies and contradictions in the AUKUS submarine project are so great that in the commercial world such a prospectus would not gain one investor. It is accordingly irresponsible for the Australian government to bankroll such a doomed venture to the tune of $368 billion, which could be better used in real, effective and appropriate defence platforms and munitions, equipment and personnel, not to mention hospitals, schools or even houses. Loading Apart from the unfortunate but telling example of British maritime industrial inability as demonstrated by the Astute-class submarine, Australia has also been burdened by Britain's contribution to the Hunter frigates, which Strategic Analysis Australia director Michael Shoebridge has described as a ludicrous waste of money for very little military capability. In this context, the bilateral Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Treaty, known as the Geelong Treaty, signed by Australia's Defence Minister, Richard Marles, and Healey, condemns Australia to providing the UK with ongoing industrial support for the next 50 years. Of course, the signatories present the heralded collaboration as vital to Australian and UK shared security interests, but such an assertion collapses under analysis of UK security interests in Australia's region, UK military capabilities available now or in the future to defend Australia, and UK military industrial capabilities to design, manufacture and maintain the submarine capabilities of its imaginings.
Kyodo News
27-07-2025
- Business
- Kyodo News
Kyodo News Digest: July 27, 2025
TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Japan, U.S. discussing scenario for nuclear weapons use: sources TOKYO - Japan and the United States have been discussing a scenario, in which the U.S. military would use nuclear weapons in the event of a contingency, during talks on so-called extended deterrence, sources close to the two countries said Saturday. It is the first time the allies have delved into the issue, in a sign that they are seeking to strengthen the U.S. nuclear umbrella, under which Japan is protected, amid intensifying military activity by China, North Korea and Russia, the sources said. ---------- Japan, U.S. ministers reached trade agreement in mid-June: sources TOKYO - Japan's chief negotiator reached an agreement with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in mid-June on a deal offering massive Japanese investment in the United States in exchange for a reduction in tariffs, sources close to the matter said Saturday. Over the following month, Japan focused on convincing U.S. President Donald Trump through Lutnick of the advantages of the agreement, with the proposal of expanding imports of U.S.-grown rice used as the final bargaining chip. ---------- Australia, Britain sign 50-yr AUKUS treaty amid U.S. review SYDNEY - Australia and Britain signed a new 50-year treaty on Saturday to cement the existing trilateral AUKUS nuclear submarine program with the United States, reaffirming their commitment to the plan amid a U.S. review of the three-way pact. The treaty will enable comprehensive cooperation on the design, build, operation, sustainment, and disposal of new AUKUS submarines, as well as supporting port visits and the rotational presence of a British Astute-class submarine at a navy base near Perth on Australia's west coast, according to a joint statement. ---------- China lodges protest with Japan over Taiwan foreign minister's visit BEIJING - China has lodged a strong protest with Japan over a recent visit by Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, criticizing it as an opportunity for the self-ruled island to engage in separatist activities. The protest was made by Liu Jinsong, head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Asian Affairs Department, in a meeting with Akira Yokochi, chief minister at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing, on Friday. Liu criticized Japan for allowing Lin to visit as it sends a "wrong signal," according to China's Foreign Ministry. ---------- Sumo: Kotoshoho nears title as Kusano downs Aonishiki to stay in race NAGOYA - No. 15 maegashira Kotoshoho took the outright lead and moved within a victory of his first Emperor's Cup on Saturday though Kusano's defeat of Ukrainian Aonishiki means any one of the three could still bag the title heading into the final day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. Kotoshoho (12-2) traded shoves and slaps with Kirishima (8-6) before the sharp-looking title chaser stepped to his right to dodge the outrushing sekiwake and threw the former ozeki out of the ring at IG Arena, having grabbed a right overarm belt hold. ---------- Rugby: Japan complete sweep of Spain before Women's World Cup TOKYO - Hosts Japan completed a two-match sweep of Spain ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup in England with a 30-19 victory on Saturday. Mele Yua Havili Kagawa scored two of Japan's five tries, both during a 10-0 first half, in scorching heat at Tokyo's Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground. ---------- Video: Bon Odori dance at Osaka Expo sets Guinness World Record
The Advertiser
26-07-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Australia, UK deepen subs commitment despite US review
Britain and Australia have formally strengthened bilateral ties around the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement despite a review of the three-nation pact by the US government. AUKUS, formed with both the UK and US in 2021 to address concerns about China's rising military ambition, is designed to enable Australia to acquire nuclear-powered attack submarines in the 2040s. However, fears about the future of the $560 billion deal have persisted since the Trump administration initiated a review to examine whether it meets its "America-first" criteria. Defence Minister Richard Marles and UK Secretary of State John Healey put pen to paper on a partnership and collaboration arrangement between the two allies on Saturday. The so-called Geelong Treaty is being hailed as a historic pact in its own right, while also representing a 50-year co-operation arrangement under the AUKUS banner. Mr Marles said the bilateral agreement built on "the strong foundation of trilateral co-operation between Australia, the UK and the United States" and advanced the shared objectives of AUKUS. He remained confident of the future of US involvement in the partnership, he added. "The Geelong Treaty will enable comprehensive co-operation on the design, build, operation, sustainment, and disposal of our ... submarines," Mr Marles said. "It will support the development of the personnel, workforce, infrastructure and regulatory systems required for Australia's ... AUKUS program" as well as support the rotational presence of a UK Astute-class submarine at HMAS Stirling in Perth. Speaking alongside Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Mr Healey and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Sydney on Friday, Mr Marles said Australia had made two contributions of $A760 million each to AUKUS this year. At the same press conference, Mr Lammy called Britain's relationship with Australia "an anchor in what is a very volatile world" and said it provided stability no matter which way geopolitical winds were blowing. Mr Healey said the UK was confident it could meet its obligations on industrial capacity to deliver SSN-AUKUS submarines and was undeterred by the US review. "Australia and the UK welcome the review because we see this as a chance for a new administration to renew their commitment to AUKUS and that's what we expect," he said. Australia will pay $5 billion to support British industry in designing and producing nuclear reactors to power the future AUKUS-class subs. It will also acquire at least three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the US in the early 2030s. On Sunday, Mr Marles and visiting UK ministers will head to Darwin to observe joint military exercises known as Talisman Sabre, which comprise more than 30,000 personnel from 19 militaries. The 2025 war games involve the UK's Carrier Strike Group, led by the Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales - the first UK carrier strike group to visit Australia since 1997. Britain and Australia have formally strengthened bilateral ties around the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement despite a review of the three-nation pact by the US government. AUKUS, formed with both the UK and US in 2021 to address concerns about China's rising military ambition, is designed to enable Australia to acquire nuclear-powered attack submarines in the 2040s. However, fears about the future of the $560 billion deal have persisted since the Trump administration initiated a review to examine whether it meets its "America-first" criteria. Defence Minister Richard Marles and UK Secretary of State John Healey put pen to paper on a partnership and collaboration arrangement between the two allies on Saturday. The so-called Geelong Treaty is being hailed as a historic pact in its own right, while also representing a 50-year co-operation arrangement under the AUKUS banner. Mr Marles said the bilateral agreement built on "the strong foundation of trilateral co-operation between Australia, the UK and the United States" and advanced the shared objectives of AUKUS. He remained confident of the future of US involvement in the partnership, he added. "The Geelong Treaty will enable comprehensive co-operation on the design, build, operation, sustainment, and disposal of our ... submarines," Mr Marles said. "It will support the development of the personnel, workforce, infrastructure and regulatory systems required for Australia's ... AUKUS program" as well as support the rotational presence of a UK Astute-class submarine at HMAS Stirling in Perth. Speaking alongside Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Mr Healey and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Sydney on Friday, Mr Marles said Australia had made two contributions of $A760 million each to AUKUS this year. At the same press conference, Mr Lammy called Britain's relationship with Australia "an anchor in what is a very volatile world" and said it provided stability no matter which way geopolitical winds were blowing. Mr Healey said the UK was confident it could meet its obligations on industrial capacity to deliver SSN-AUKUS submarines and was undeterred by the US review. "Australia and the UK welcome the review because we see this as a chance for a new administration to renew their commitment to AUKUS and that's what we expect," he said. Australia will pay $5 billion to support British industry in designing and producing nuclear reactors to power the future AUKUS-class subs. It will also acquire at least three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the US in the early 2030s. On Sunday, Mr Marles and visiting UK ministers will head to Darwin to observe joint military exercises known as Talisman Sabre, which comprise more than 30,000 personnel from 19 militaries. The 2025 war games involve the UK's Carrier Strike Group, led by the Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales - the first UK carrier strike group to visit Australia since 1997. Britain and Australia have formally strengthened bilateral ties around the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement despite a review of the three-nation pact by the US government. AUKUS, formed with both the UK and US in 2021 to address concerns about China's rising military ambition, is designed to enable Australia to acquire nuclear-powered attack submarines in the 2040s. However, fears about the future of the $560 billion deal have persisted since the Trump administration initiated a review to examine whether it meets its "America-first" criteria. Defence Minister Richard Marles and UK Secretary of State John Healey put pen to paper on a partnership and collaboration arrangement between the two allies on Saturday. The so-called Geelong Treaty is being hailed as a historic pact in its own right, while also representing a 50-year co-operation arrangement under the AUKUS banner. Mr Marles said the bilateral agreement built on "the strong foundation of trilateral co-operation between Australia, the UK and the United States" and advanced the shared objectives of AUKUS. He remained confident of the future of US involvement in the partnership, he added. "The Geelong Treaty will enable comprehensive co-operation on the design, build, operation, sustainment, and disposal of our ... submarines," Mr Marles said. "It will support the development of the personnel, workforce, infrastructure and regulatory systems required for Australia's ... AUKUS program" as well as support the rotational presence of a UK Astute-class submarine at HMAS Stirling in Perth. Speaking alongside Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Mr Healey and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Sydney on Friday, Mr Marles said Australia had made two contributions of $A760 million each to AUKUS this year. At the same press conference, Mr Lammy called Britain's relationship with Australia "an anchor in what is a very volatile world" and said it provided stability no matter which way geopolitical winds were blowing. Mr Healey said the UK was confident it could meet its obligations on industrial capacity to deliver SSN-AUKUS submarines and was undeterred by the US review. "Australia and the UK welcome the review because we see this as a chance for a new administration to renew their commitment to AUKUS and that's what we expect," he said. Australia will pay $5 billion to support British industry in designing and producing nuclear reactors to power the future AUKUS-class subs. It will also acquire at least three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the US in the early 2030s. On Sunday, Mr Marles and visiting UK ministers will head to Darwin to observe joint military exercises known as Talisman Sabre, which comprise more than 30,000 personnel from 19 militaries. The 2025 war games involve the UK's Carrier Strike Group, led by the Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales - the first UK carrier strike group to visit Australia since 1997. Britain and Australia have formally strengthened bilateral ties around the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement despite a review of the three-nation pact by the US government. AUKUS, formed with both the UK and US in 2021 to address concerns about China's rising military ambition, is designed to enable Australia to acquire nuclear-powered attack submarines in the 2040s. However, fears about the future of the $560 billion deal have persisted since the Trump administration initiated a review to examine whether it meets its "America-first" criteria. Defence Minister Richard Marles and UK Secretary of State John Healey put pen to paper on a partnership and collaboration arrangement between the two allies on Saturday. The so-called Geelong Treaty is being hailed as a historic pact in its own right, while also representing a 50-year co-operation arrangement under the AUKUS banner. Mr Marles said the bilateral agreement built on "the strong foundation of trilateral co-operation between Australia, the UK and the United States" and advanced the shared objectives of AUKUS. He remained confident of the future of US involvement in the partnership, he added. "The Geelong Treaty will enable comprehensive co-operation on the design, build, operation, sustainment, and disposal of our ... submarines," Mr Marles said. "It will support the development of the personnel, workforce, infrastructure and regulatory systems required for Australia's ... AUKUS program" as well as support the rotational presence of a UK Astute-class submarine at HMAS Stirling in Perth. Speaking alongside Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Mr Healey and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Sydney on Friday, Mr Marles said Australia had made two contributions of $A760 million each to AUKUS this year. At the same press conference, Mr Lammy called Britain's relationship with Australia "an anchor in what is a very volatile world" and said it provided stability no matter which way geopolitical winds were blowing. Mr Healey said the UK was confident it could meet its obligations on industrial capacity to deliver SSN-AUKUS submarines and was undeterred by the US review. "Australia and the UK welcome the review because we see this as a chance for a new administration to renew their commitment to AUKUS and that's what we expect," he said. Australia will pay $5 billion to support British industry in designing and producing nuclear reactors to power the future AUKUS-class subs. It will also acquire at least three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the US in the early 2030s. On Sunday, Mr Marles and visiting UK ministers will head to Darwin to observe joint military exercises known as Talisman Sabre, which comprise more than 30,000 personnel from 19 militaries. The 2025 war games involve the UK's Carrier Strike Group, led by the Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales - the first UK carrier strike group to visit Australia since 1997.
The Mainichi
26-07-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Australia, Britain sign 50-yr AUKUS treaty amid US review
SYDNEY (Kyodo) -- Australia and Britain signed a new 50-year treaty on Saturday to cement the existing trilateral AUKUS nuclear submarine program with the United States, reaffirming their commitment to the plan amid a U.S. review of the three-way pact. The treaty will enable comprehensive cooperation on the design, build, operation, sustainment, and disposal of new AUKUS submarines, as well as supporting port visits and the rotational presence of a British Astute-class submarine at a navy base near Perth on Australia's west coast, according to a joint statement. The new bilateral treaty between London and Canberra sits under the existing trilateral AUKUS security agreement involving Washington. Under the plan announced by the three countries in 2021, Australia will purchase nuclear-powered submarines from the United States in the early 2030s and deliver its first domestically built vessels in the early 2040s. The strengthened commitment to the AUKUS submarine program comes after the United States announced a review of the trilateral AUKUS pact in June, seeking to ensure the agreement aligns with President Donald Trump's "America First" agenda. Speaking at the signing ceremony in the southeast Australian city of Geelong on Saturday, British Defense Secretary John Healey said the new treaty will fortify the Indo-Pacific and strengthen the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. "This is a treaty that will define the relationship between our two nations and safeguard the securities of our countries for our children and our children's children to come," said Healey. At a press conference in Sydney on Friday, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles stressed that it was "the most natural thing in the world" for a new government to undertake a review, while Healey said that both Australia and Britain welcome it as an opportunity for the Trump administration to renew their commitment to the pact.
