Latest news with #VirginiaClassSSNs
West Australian
a day ago
- Business
- West Australian
Premier Roger Cook bound for the UK to push WA's case for AUKUS deal on the rocks
Roger Cook is heading to the UK this week to push WA's case for why the shaky AUKUS deal should proceed, amid fears Donald Trump will torpedo the $368 billion defence agreement. With Mr Trump ordering a review of the deal, the Premier — accompanied by his Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia — will meet with senior British government and defence personnel to emphasise why AUKUS is important to not just Australia, the US and the UK, but to WA. The 2021 AUKUS security pact between the US, Britain and Australia, is supposed to deliver Australia up to five nuclear-powered submarines from about 2030. WA stands to be a major beneficiary, with Henderson — just south of Perth — scheduled to get a $20b boost to become a major defence hub where the submarines would be serviced and naval ship building further developed. About $8b of upgrades are also scheduled to happen at HMAS Stirling, which will become home to Australia's nuclear-propelled AUKUS submarines — Virginia Class SSNs. 'I'm confident that AUKUS is a great deal for the US and Australia and that the Trump administration's review will confirm that,' Mr Cook said. 'While it's only natural that a new administration does a review, there's no doubt we live in uncertain times, and that's why this UK mission is a priority for my Government.' At the G7 summit, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was unable to get a one-on-one meeting with Mr Trump to discuss AUKUS after the US President left early to due to escalating the Middle East crisis. Mr Cook said the deal was in the interests of all three nations, adding any decision not to proceed with the agreement would be worrying. 'Obviously, it (AUKUS not proceeding) would be a concern not only for Australia but for the UK and a concern in relation to the US security attitude towards the geopolitical situation in this region,' he said. 'But, as has been observed by several people, the UK Government undertook its own review of AUKUS when it was elected. 'So, we are not too concerned.' During the five-day mission Mr Cook will hold a roundtable meeting in London with defence industry heavyweights and meet with UK Government officials, including Maria Eagle, Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Industry, and Lord Spellar, the UK's trade envoy to Australia. The Premier and Mr Papalia will also visit His Majesty's Naval Base, in Devonport which is the sole nuclear repair and refuelling facility for the Royal Navy. Regardless of AUKUS, Mr Cook was confident WA would play a significant in Australia's — and the US and UK's — defence industries. Mr Cook said UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had, for example, recently announced a plan to build up to 12 additional nuclear-powered submarines over the next decade — and WA businesses could play a pivotal role in speeding up the construction of these military assets. 'There will still be significant opportunities for Western Australia's defence industry,' Mr Cook said. 'The US and UK will still need WA businesses, or WA manufacturers, to be part of the global supply chain for their own construction effort. 'There are three big opportunities for Western Australia. 'One is around maintenance and sustainment, the other is around frigate construction and the third is around being part of the international manufacturing supply chain for the construction of UK and US subs back in their countries.' Mr Cook said the State's move to renewables and clean energy would also be a selling point. 'This mission to the UK is a crucial part of my Government's plan to diversify the economy and ensure it remains the strongest in the nation,' Mr Cook said. 'We are doing everything we can to ensure that local businesses benefit from this once in a generation boom, and that's why strategic talks with decision-makers to sell our State to the world and garner investment is so important.'
7NEWS
7 days ago
- Business
- 7NEWS
Arthur Sinodinos makes major call on the future AUKUS deal under the Trump Administration
Australia's defence deal with the United States will survive under President Donald Trump, according to former top Australian diplomat Arthur Sinodinos. The Pentagon confirmed to 7NEWS last week that the more than $300 billion deal, which involves the sale of three Virginia Class SSNs (nuclear-powered submarines) to Australia, was under review. Sinodinos, who appeared on Sunrise on Monday, was asked about the future of the deal. 'I believe it will (survive the review),' he told Nat Barr. 'There is a lot of bipartisan for the deal from day one in the Congress, both Republican and Democrat. 'Trump himself, I think, would see that we are pulling weight. Australia has already made a $500 million down payment to the United States for the first Virginia class vessels. 'We are going to spend, what $370 billion on AUKUS, pillar one and pillar two,' Sinodinos said. 'We are putting money into the US, $500 million already, we are putting money into the UK industrial base. We are doing what he expects allies to do. 'Now, there is a separate debate about whether spending overall on defence should go up. 'But I think it is right to say, let's work out what we need in concert with the Americans, before deciding on a figure.' Trump would need to certify the sale of the submarines won't impact the US industrial base. 'What is happening in the US is the navy is putting more money into the industrial base to accelerate the rate of submarine construction, so we can meet that timeline,' Sinodinos said. According to Sinodinos, it will also 'have a deterrent effect on China. 'So, if we look at any stage like we are second guessing ourselves, or we are not committed to really doing this, we are not serious, the Chinese will say, 'look, at end of the day, they are all paper tiger, we don't have to worry'. 'We can just keep pushing ... in the Indo-Pacific and these characters will not push back.' AUKUS under review A US Department of Defense official says AUKUS is being reviewed 'as part of ensuring that this initiative of the previous Administration is aligned with the President's America First agenda'. 'As Secretary Hegseth has made clear, this means ensuring the highest readiness of our servicemembers, that allies step up fully to do their part for collective defence, and that the defence industrial base is meeting our needs,' the official said. 'This review will ensure the initiative meets this common sense, America First criteria.' The Albanese government has sought to reduce fears about the future of AUKUS. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles says the government is 'committed to AUKUS and we look forward to working closely with the US on the review'. 'The United States advised Australia and the UK of the review,' Marles said. 'It is natural that the administration would want to examine this major undertaking including progress and delivery, just as the UK government recently concluded an AUKUS review and reaffirmed its support. 'All three countries are committed to ensuring AUKUS meets national and trilateral objectives. 'Importantly, AUKUS will grow both US and Australian defence industry as well as generating thousands of new manufacturing jobs. 'There is bipartisan support in the United States with the passage of important provisions in the National Defence Authorisation Act in 2023 to enable the transfer of US Virginia class submarines to Australia, and to enable Australians to work on maintenance activities of US Virginia class submarines.' 'Our engagement with the Trump Administration and across the full political spectrum in the United States has shown clear and consistent support for AUKUS.' What is AUKUS? Under the plan signed between former prime minister Scott Morrison and former United States president Joe Biden, the White House intends to sell Australia three Virginia Class SSNs (nuclear-powered submarines) from as soon as the early 2030s, which was authorised by the US Congress in December 2023. Australia retains the option to seek approval for up to two more if needed. Australia's Submarine Agency says, 'This acquisition will eliminate any capability gap and increase the three nations' (Australia, UK and US) ability to deter aggression and contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.' Australia will then build its own nuclear-powered submarines based off technology from the UK. Australia's nuclear-powered submarines — SSN-AUKUS — will be based on the UK's next-generation design that incorporates technology from all three nations, including cutting edge US submarine technologies. The UK will commence construction of its first SSN-AUKUS in Barrow-in-Furness UK, as early as the late 2020s. The UK intends to deliver its first SSN-AUKUS to the UK Royal Navy in the late 2030s. Australia will begin building its first SSN-AUKUS in Adelaide, South Australia, by the end of this decade, and plans to deliver the first Australian-built SSN-AUKUS to the Royal Australian Navy in the early 2040s.
