Latest news with #Virginia-class
The Age
3 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Rudd pushes back on US claim that Australia needs to ‘step up' on defence
Washington: Australian ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd has pushed back against claims Canberra needs to step up its contribution to the collective deterrence of China in the Indo-Pacific, telling a security conference that Australia had already done the things now being asked of it by the Trump administration. Rudd said Australia led the way in identifying strategic concerns about the rise of China and its military force, citing the 2009 defence white paper he released as prime minister, and had made corresponding changes to its defence strategy. 'Without saying 'we told you so', we did,' Rudd said when asked whether Australia needed to increase defence spending more urgently in response to recent Chinese military exercises in the region. 'If you look at the trajectory of what our government has been doing – reallocation of resources to the Royal Australian Navy, the movement now in terms of nuclear-powered submarines - that consciousness [about China] has been alive and well in our part of the world.' Rudd noted the high level of integration between the two nations' navies. 'We are cheek by jowl with the United States in the Indo-Pacific. We know what new capabilities are required. We're investing in those capabilities. So we're pretty bullish about our contribution to collective deterrence going forward,' he said. The former Labor prime minister was addressing the Aspen Security Forum on Saturday (AEST) at a critical moment in Indo-Pacific relations as the US pushes regional allies to lift defence spending and make clearer commitments about what they would do in a conflict involving the US and China over Taiwan or other issues. Specifically, the Pentagon is seeking undertakings about how its Virginia-class submarines would be used once they are sold to Australia under the AUKUS agreement, and is also calling for the Albanese government to lift defence spending by about $40 billion a year, to 3.5 per cent of GDP. Confirming a recent news report that said the Pentagon had asked Australia and Japan to clarify what they would do in a conflict with China, the US official leading the AUKUS review, defence undersecretary Elbridge Colby, said the US was urging allies to 'step up their defence spending and other efforts related to our collective defence'.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Rudd pushes back on US claim that Australia needs to ‘step up' on defence
Washington: Australian ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd has pushed back against claims Canberra needs to step up its contribution to the collective deterrence of China in the Indo-Pacific, telling a security conference that Australia had already done the things now being asked of it by the Trump administration. Rudd said Australia led the way in identifying strategic concerns about the rise of China and its military force, citing the 2009 defence white paper he released as prime minister, and had made corresponding changes to its defence strategy. 'Without saying 'we told you so', we did,' Rudd said when asked whether Australia needed to increase defence spending more urgently in response to recent Chinese military exercises in the region. 'If you look at the trajectory of what our government has been doing – reallocation of resources to the Royal Australian Navy, the movement now in terms of nuclear-powered submarines - that consciousness [about China] has been alive and well in our part of the world.' Rudd noted the high level of integration between the two nations' navies. 'We are cheek by jowl with the United States in the Indo-Pacific. We know what new capabilities are required. We're investing in those capabilities. So we're pretty bullish about our contribution to collective deterrence going forward,' he said. The former Labor prime minister was addressing the Aspen Security Forum on Saturday (AEST) at a critical moment in Indo-Pacific relations as the US pushes regional allies to lift defence spending and make clearer commitments about what they would do in a conflict involving the US and China over Taiwan or other issues. Specifically, the Pentagon is seeking undertakings about how its Virginia-class submarines would be used once they are sold to Australia under the AUKUS agreement, and is also calling for the Albanese government to lift defence spending by about $40 billion a year, to 3.5 per cent of GDP. Confirming a recent news report that said the Pentagon had asked Australia and Japan to clarify what they would do in a conflict with China, the US official leading the AUKUS review, defence undersecretary Elbridge Colby, said the US was urging allies to 'step up their defence spending and other efforts related to our collective defence'.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Fast-Attack Submarine Joins US Pacific Fleet
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A United States fast-attack submarine has joined the Pacific Fleet following refurbishment and modernization as the Pentagon faces growing naval challenges from its rival, China. U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Chris Cavanaugh, the commander of the Pacific Submarine Force, said USS Toledo joined his unit as what he described as a "tested and capable submarine." Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment via email. Why It Matters China possesses the world's largest navy by hull count, with more than 370 vessels, including a fleet of 60 submarines powered by either nuclear or diesel-electric propulsion. The Chinese navy plays a key role in expanding the country's military reach and presence in the Pacific. The U.S. has deployed its nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines across the Pacific to help preserve its naval dominance in the region amid the growing threat from China, including five submarines homeported in Guam—a key U.S. military hub in the western Pacific. The U.S. Navy operates three classes of fast-attack submarines—the Los Angeles-class, Seawolf-class and Virginia-class—designed to destroy enemy naval vessels and project power ashore through the use of Tomahawk missiles and special operations forces. What To Know The U.S. Pacific Submarine Force announced on Monday that the Toledo—a Los Angeles-class submarine—arrived at its new home port, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii, on July 12, joining the Submarine Squadron 7 as its fourth Los Angeles-class submarine. The United States Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Toledo arriving at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii on July 12. The United States Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Toledo arriving at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii on July 12. Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Scott Barnes/U.S. Navy According to the Navy, the Hawaii-based squadron provides "training, material, and personnel readiness support" to a total of six fast-attack submarines—two Virginia-class and four Los Angeles-class vessels. The Toledo, capable of firing missiles and torpedoes, previously served as one of the East Coast-based submarines, homeported at Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut. It moved to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia in January 2021 for repair and overhaul. The submarine completed its repair and overhaul—a process known as an Engineered Overhaul aimed at extending its operational life—and returned to the Navy on April 19. "Our crew looks forward to the new chapter for Toledo and the opportunities while operating throughout the Indo-Pacific," said Commander Dustin Kraemer, the commanding officer of the Toledo. The submarine's crew consists of about 12 officers and 98 enlisted sailors. The Toledo is capable of supporting a wide range of missions—including anti-submarine, anti-surface and strike warfare as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance—making it one of the world's most capable submarines, the Pacific Submarine Force said. The United States Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Toledo docked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia on May 15, 2024. The United States Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Toledo docked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia on May 15, 2024. Shelby West/Norfolk Naval Shipyard What People Are Saying U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Chris Cavanaugh, the commander of the Pacific Submarine Force, said in a news release on Monday: "The Toledo team has demonstrated professionalism and commitment in completing their extended maintenance and getting the ship back to sea." U.S. Navy Captain Corey Poorman, the commander of the Submarine Squadron 7, said in a news release on Monday: "Our team looks forward to continuing the training and certification of Toledo's crew in defense of our nation and its allies and partners." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the Pentagon will deploy and homeport additional ships and submarines in the Pacific amid China's rapid expansion of its naval fleet and activities.
Nikkei Asia
6 days ago
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
Pentagon official on Asia trip to discuss AUKUS, defense spending
The USS North Carolina, a Virginia-class submarine, departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii. Under AUKUS, the U.S. is scheduled to sell three such vessels to Australia. (U.S. Navy) KEN MORIYASU WASHINGTON -- A senior Pentagon official is on a tour of the Indo-Pacific to discuss submarines and defense spending, Nikkei Asia has learned, tackling two topics that have unnerved allies in recent weeks. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia John Noh, who has been nominated as assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, is visiting the United States Studies Centre in Sydney to talk about the U.S.-Australia alliance and AUKUS -- the security partnership that will see the U.S. and the U.K. provide Australia with nuclear-powered conventionally armed submarines.
Perth Now
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Big call on US' ‘unreasonable' Taiwan order
Australia is not obligated to disclose whether we would support the United States in a potential conflict sparked by China's hypothetical invasion of Taiwan, Coalition home affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie says. Mr Hastie, a former SAS commander, has lashed the Pentagon demand as 'unreasonable'. The Financial Times has reported Elbridge Colby – Pentagon policy chief and the man leading the US review into the AUKUS agreement – has urged Australian and Japanese officials to reveal their position in meetings. Asked whether Australia was 'obligated to clarify what our role is', Mr Hastie said: 'I don't think we are'. 'I think the US is ambiguous in its position with Taiwan. If that's the case they can't expect their allies to be declaring their position hypothetically,' Mr Hastie said. 'I know at the operational level I'm sure there's all sorts of war gaming and war planning about different scenarios that could occur in the Indo Pacific, but I think it's unreasonable for Australia to have to declare a position for a hypothetical.' Andrew Hastie said the reported Pentagon demand was 'unreasonable'. NewsWire/ Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia However, he said Australia needed to be 'ready' and willing to work with the US to ensure we were 'intimately involved in integrated deterrence throughout the region,' something he said Anthony Albanese was 'failing' on. 'The US has made it very clear that that's what they want as well, and that's why our partnership is so important, and that's why the Prime Minister is failing, because he's yet to secure a meeting with Donald Trump,' Mr Hastie said. 'And he's yet to really voice the national interest in personal terms to the President of the United States.' Asked about the reports on Sunday, the Prime Minister said he supported the 'status quo when it comes to Taiwan'. Speaking from Shanghai on his six day trip to China, he said it was 'important' to have a 'stable, orderly, coherent position' and reiterated calls for 'peace and security in our region'. Anthony Albanese said Australia supported the 'status quo' on Taiwan. NewsWire/ Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Hastie also rebuffed comments from Mr Albanese that there needed to 'be a little bit of perspective' on a potential meeting with US President Donald Trump. Mr Hastie said the leaders needed to have a conversation about the AUKUS review, as well as demand transparency around whether Australia would be asked to deploy the Virginia-class submarines obtained from the US through the AUKUS agreement. 'I think (it's been) 250 days since President Trump was elected, and the US is our closest security partner,' Mr Hastie said. 'I think he needs to go to Donald Trump and have an intimate conversation with him about AUKUS and many other issues, particularly given that it is such a close partnership we have with the United States.'
