Elbridge Colby, the third-highest-ranking official at the Pentagon, stated that the Aukus agreement is advancing without constraints, mirroring language used by the Trump administration. Colby, who holds the position of under secretary of war, previously authored a review of the Aukus deal that sources indicated was initially skeptical about the agreement’s prospects before being revised multiple times to align with the administration’s position.
At an Asia-Pacific press briefing on Thursday, Colby expressed satisfaction with progress made since completion of the Aukus review, which he characterized as establishing a pathway for program success. He described the initiative as a historic undertaking and emphasized that both nations would achieve their respective objectives. The first Virginia-class submarine transfer to Australia is scheduled for 2032 according to current plans.
Colby acknowledged the complexities involved while maintaining optimism about the arrangement. He noted that the US and Australia shared aligned strategic perspectives, particularly regarding collective defense and deterrence strategies to maintain regional stability. Regarding submarine production capacity, Colby indicated the Pentagon was prioritizing improvements to manufacturing and maintenance operations, as current US production rates of approximately 1.1 to 1.2 vessels annually fall short of the 2.33 needed to supply both domestic requirements and the Australian agreement.
During the briefing, Colby declined to address questions about potential nuclear-armed submarine deployments at Australian ports, citing US policy that neither confirms nor denies the presence of nuclear weapons on military platforms. Australia’s defense establishment similarly maintains it respects this ambiguity and does not inquire about the nuclear status of visiting American aircraft or vessels.
Colby’s remarks came as a separate parliamentary inquiry into Aukus was conducting public hearings in multiple Australian cities. Testimony from former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull characterized Australia’s commitment to the arrangement as problematic, arguing that US legal restrictions could prevent submarine transfers if they would weaken the American fleet.
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