Australia plays down concerns over US review of AUKUS submarine deal review

Australia on Thursday played down concerns over review of $368 billion AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine deal by the US as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepares for his first face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump, local media reported.

Defense Minister Richard Marles told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that he is "very" confident AUKUS deal is going to happen.

"We welcome [the review], it's something which is perfectly natural for an incoming administration to do," Marles said.

"I think as AUKUS goes forward over many decades and governments come and go, I think that what you'll see is incoming governments, quite reasonably, look at reviewing how they can best engage what is a multi-decade arrangement," he added.

Since returning to the White House, US President Donald Trump has given some reassurance about the future of the submarine agreement struck in the Biden era.

But in a move, confirmed by the Pentagon, a review will be conducted to ensure the program meets the "America First" criteria, according to ABC.

Marles also pointed to the UK's recently completed AUKUS review, which reaffirmed its support for the agreement.

Australia handed over almost $800 million to the US in February — the first of a number of payments — to help boost the US submarine industrial base.

Opposition defense spokesperson Angus Taylor said Albanese must "urgently" seek a direct meeting with Trump to safeguard the AUKUS agreement.

"If AUKUS falls over, it is Australia that pays the price. We would face a dangerous gap in capability at a time when we lack the capacity to go it alone," he said in a statement.

In February, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth assured Australia that Washington would deliver the first nuclear submarine on time under the AUKUS deal, which is due by the early 2030s.

As part of the 2021 AUKUS alliance, the US, UK, and Australia are jointly developing nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.

The project, which has seen significant investments from all three nations, is crucial to enhancing defense capabilities. The UK pledged £4 billion ($5.3 billion), the US is contributing $17.5 billion, and Australia has committed more than AUD 30 billion ($20.7 billion).