More than 100 lawmakers call for appropriators to restore Navy’s second Virginia-class sub

More than 100 lawmakers call for appropriators to restore Navy’s second Virginia-class sub
More than 100 lawmakers call for appropriators to restore Navy’s second Virginia-class sub

The letter is the latest sign lawmakers have rejected the Navy’s argument that the cut was a strategic one due to a construction backlog, though some key signatures are missing.

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Australia unveils ‘historic’ defense boost to 2.4% of GDP in decade, but critics say too little, too late

Australia unveils ‘historic’ defense boost to 2.4% of GDP in decade, but critics say too little, too late
Australia unveils ‘historic’ defense boost to 2.4% of GDP in decade, but critics say too little, too late

Part of the shakeup includes tens of billions for nuclear-powered subs, and halting the pricey procurement of an additional F-35 fighter jet squadron.

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Top seapower hawk Rep. Courtney rejects Navy’s pitch for 1 Virginia-class sub buy

Top seapower hawk Rep. Courtney rejects Navy’s pitch for 1 Virginia-class sub buy
Top seapower hawk Rep. Courtney rejects Navy’s pitch for 1 Virginia-class sub buy

In “my opinion, the Navy is looking backwards, not forwards, in terms of what’s actually happening in the shipyards with this proposal,” the Democrat said of the Navy’s submarine budget proposal.

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Virginia class budget cut was a ‘real decision,’ not a political ploy: Navy comptroller

Virginia class budget cut was a ‘real decision,’ not a political ploy: Navy comptroller
Virginia class budget cut was a ‘real decision,’ not a political ploy: Navy comptroller

“It is not a Washington Monument ploy. It is a necessary moment that we… need to push through to actually get strategic outcomes,” said Russell Rumbaugh.

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AUKUS: Aussie nuke sub training expands, 37 sailors head to Guam

AUKUS: Aussie nuke sub training expands, 37 sailors head to Guam
AUKUS: Aussie nuke sub training expands, 37 sailors head to Guam

“The opportunity for our Navy personnel to learn from our AUKUS partners demonstrates meaningful progress along Australia’s pathway to acquiring nuclear-powered submarines,” Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said.

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Two years on, is the AUKUS agreement at the brink of failure?

Two years on, is the AUKUS agreement at the brink of failure?
Two years on, is the AUKUS agreement at the brink of failure?

In a new op-ed, Bill Greenwalt of AEI warns that the Biden administration has not publicly provided workable legislative proposals that would take aim at the ITAR challenges for AUKUS.

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HII execs visit Australia, prepping for ‘generational partnership’ for AUKUS

HII execs visit Australia, prepping for ‘generational partnership’ for AUKUS
HII execs visit Australia, prepping for ‘generational partnership’ for AUKUS

“We very much view this as a generational partnership, one that we’re leaning into, and one that we believe will help generate capability and capacity in Australia,” Eric Chewning, HII’s executive vice president for strategy and development, told a group of reporters.

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House Dems introduce bill to allow Virginia sub transfer to Aussies

House Dems introduce bill to allow Virginia sub transfer to Aussies
House Dems introduce bill to allow Virginia sub transfer to Aussies

The proposed legislation would begin the process of knocking down key legal hurdles impending the AUKUS security pact.

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Major weapon system costs rose $37 billion over past two years: GAO

Major weapon system costs rose $37 billion over past two years: GAO
Major weapon system costs rose $37 billion over past two years: GAO

The watchdog’s report is unsparing in outlining the cost increases and schedule delays for a majority of Defense Department programs.

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Navy seeks $3.6 billion over 5 years for 64 hypersonic Conventional Prompt Strike rounds

Navy seeks $3.6 billion over 5 years for 64 hypersonic Conventional Prompt Strike rounds
Navy seeks $3.6 billion over 5 years for 64 hypersonic Conventional Prompt Strike rounds

A senior Navy officer recently said the budget is an “endorsement of the capability.”

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$368 billion, 20,000 jobs over 20 years: How AUKUS could ‘fundamentally transform’ Australia

$368 billion, 20,000 jobs over 20 years: How AUKUS could ‘fundamentally transform’ Australia
$368 billion, 20,000 jobs over 20 years: How AUKUS could ‘fundamentally transform’ Australia

One analyst called the new agreement the biggest engineering project in 75 years for Australia, but there are big hurdles that need to be cleared.

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‘SSN AUKUS’: How the US and UK plan to get nuclear-powered subs to Australia

‘SSN AUKUS’: How the US and UK plan to get nuclear-powered subs to Australia
‘SSN AUKUS’: How the US and UK plan to get nuclear-powered subs to Australia

The plans include selling at least three Americans attack subs in the early 2030s and the UK, Australians producing a brand new sub, filled with American tech, in the 2040s.

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In $255B budget, Navy prioritizes 3 subs and hypersonics, skips amphib buys

In $255B budget, Navy prioritizes 3 subs and hypersonics, skips amphib buys
In $255B budget, Navy prioritizes 3 subs and hypersonics, skips amphib buys

The new budget request seeks the second Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine and two Virginia-class boats, but lacks amphibs, a point sure to irk lawmakers.

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China knocks AUKUS deal as destabilizing, while Albanese pledges defense boost for subs

China knocks AUKUS deal as destabilizing, while Albanese pledges defense boost for subs
China knocks AUKUS deal as destabilizing, while Albanese pledges defense boost for subs

“Well, there’s one country in the region that’s undergone the biggest peacetime militarization since the Second World War and that’s the People’s Republic of China,” said Australian Shadow Defense Minister Andrew Hastie. “So they can make comments like they have, but it’s kind of ironic given what they’re doing with their military.”

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