The U.S. Senate has approved the AUKUS legislation, authorizing the sale of at least three Virginia-class submarines to Australia. This move is a part of the broader AUKUS alliance, aimed at curtailing Beijing’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. On December 13th, 87 senators voted in favor of the annual $886 billion Defense Authorization Bill, with the bill moving to the House of Representatives the following day.
In a joint statement, leaders from both the Republican and Democratic Armed Services Committees highlighted the importance of the Defense Authorization Bill in protecting national security against threats from China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his enthusiasm for the AUKUS deal, stating that it will create a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia to counter the Chinese Communist Party’s threat and influence in the Pacific. He also emphasized the importance of the bill in giving service members a well-deserved pay raise and strengthening resources in the Indo-Pacific to deter Chinese aggression.
Once passed, Australia will pay $3 billion (A$4.5 billion) for the purchase of the Virginia-class submarines and to expedite production in U.S. shipyards. The legislation had been stalled due to concerns about potential negative impacts on the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet. However, bipartisan support eventually resulted in the removal of legal impediments to the submarine deal.
This legislative process culminated in the AUKUS deal being recognized as a significant step for both the U.S. and Australia. The bill also introduced certification requirements to ensure that the sale of submarines aligns with U.S. foreign policy interests and does not degrade its own undersea capabilities. Moreover, the legislation mandates informing Congress leadership before the delivery of submarines to Australia and achieving the “Submarine Rotational Force West” status in Western Australia.
All in all, the AUKUS legislation reflects a comprehensive effort to bolster security and counter geopolitical threats in the Indo-Pacific region.