Virginia class submarine

AUKUS partners sign agreement on underwater drones, speed up sub plan

Australia will now forgo the purchase of a new build Virginia-class submarine and acquire another ex-US Navy boat instead.

Lockheed’s Aussie arm makes pitch to sustain combat system on future Australian Virginia-class submarines

One Lockheed executive argued the company has scores of workers available for the job after a different sub program was scrapped in favor of the American boats.

Republicans tee up short-term CR extending Pentagon funding until November

The continuing resolution does not include $3.9 billion requested by the White House for the Columbia-class submarine, but gives funding flexibility to other key programs.

Australia pays US another $525 million to bolster AUKUS industrial base

“There's a schedule of payments to be made. We have an agreement with the United States as well as with the United Kingdom, it is about increasing their capacity, their industrial capacity,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

HASC adds funds for Virginia-class subs, Ukraine in FY26 policy bill

Republicans successfully batted down a number of Democratic amendments during the 14-hour markup session.

Pentagon’s AUKUS review unlikely to break trilateral program, say analysts

“While there is some risk and mixed signals from the Trump [administration], especially on the issue of US willingness to transfer Virginia-class subs to Australia, there is a potential upside if this review drives a more coherent US approach and cost/benefit approach towards AUKUS," analyst Euan Graham told Breaking Defense.

Navy awards up to $17.1 billion submarine contract modification to General Dynamics Electric Boat

The modification, along with another $1.2 billion to prime contractor HII, is meant to fund two Virginia-class subs.

Shipbuilding, Golden Dome and munitions win big as GOP unveils $150B bill to boost defense

HASC will take up the bill on Tuesday in a marathon markup session that will allow Democrats the opportunity to amend the measure.

5 companies, 5 parts: Honeywell pilot seeks to build out AUKUS sub industrial base

“The long-term play for Honeywell is we want to be able to expand our capacity and meet demand with increased and resilient supply chains,” Honeywell executive Lee Davis told Breaking Defense. “The organization sees Australia as a good place to invest in a secure, like-minded nation.”

It’s time to ditch Virginia subs for AUKUS and go to Plan B

In this op-ed, Henry Sokolski argues Australia should switch its focus from buying Virginia-class submarines and instead put that money towards Pillar 2 technologies.

Congress unveils stopgap funding bill with $5.7 billion for Virginia-class subs

Congress has until Friday night to pass the continuing resolution before federal spending runs out, giving lawmakers a tight timeframe to move through procedural hurdles and avert a government shutdown.

With first test fire, Aussies join tiny Tomahawk club with US, UK

“The Tomahawk is the jewel in the crown and a step change in our firepower, deterrence and ability to strike land-based targets at ranges never before available to the Royal Australian Navy," said Pat Conroy, Australia's minister for defense procurement.

AUKUS will ‘cannibalize’ other programs with no budget boost: Former top Aussie general

At the same conference, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell urged the incoming Trump administration to work closely with Australia and New Zealand to counter a "relentless" China and not to turn inward.

Australia launches planning for multi-billion dollar AUKUS dry dock, expanded naval base

The dry dock will be a centerpiece of the massive consolidation and expansion of shipyards and HMAS Stirling, potentially worth $20 billion.