The U.S. Foreign Relations Senate Committee has initiated the process of obtaining U.S. Congressional approval for the temporary transfer of two nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. The committee also approved measures to deepen defense sharing with members of the AUKUS defense alliance. The transfer of the submarines, as well as training for Australians to develop their own submarine industry, were authorized in a bipartisan move on July 13. Additionally, the sale of a third unspecified submarine to Australia was approved. The bill aims to expedite the transfer of secret U.S. military hardware to Australia and the UK over the next five years. However, there are challenges to resolve regarding the timing and number of submarines, as the U.S. fleet is facing maintenance backlogs and construction delays. The U.S. Navy is currently producing submarines at a rate lower than the target, leading to concerns about meeting the Navy’s own requirements. Despite these challenges, there is political will to deliver the necessary capacity, although a solid deadline has not been set. The AUKUS agreement signed in March outlined a timeline for the transfer, with completion expected by mid-2030. The U.S. Navy currently has 21 Virginia-class vessels, falling short of the Congress-mandated goal of 66-78 vessels. China’s navy, in comparison, has 56 submarines, with plans to increase its fleet to 76 by 2030. Australia’s need for upgraded submarines stems from the CCP’s militarization in the South China Sea, and the AUKUS pact allows Australia to operate undetected in contested waters. The United States has only previously shared its nuclear-powered submarine technology with the United Kingdom. The bill also establishes an account for Australia’s annual AUKUS contributions, focuses on bolstering U.S. submarine production facilities, and allows for the easing of arms export controls to Australia. It lays the groundwork for future sharing of technologies in areas such as hypersonic weapons, quantum technologies, and artificial intelligence. Australia will build a domestic industrial base to operate the U.S. submarines and construct its own next-generation AUKUS fleet.