Australia to get nuclear subs faster as Trump seeks to speed up AUKUS timeline

The US desires to speed up the equipping of Australia with nuclear submarines beneath the trilateral settlement between the US, Australia and Britain to strengthen Australia’s submarine power, geared toward countering Chinese language affect within the Indo-Pacific.

Underneath the deal, often called AUKUS, the US will promote as much as 5 Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, anticipated to be delivered in 2032. As well as, Australia and Britain will then work collectively to construct extra assault submarines for the Australian fleet.

However President Donald Trump instructed reporters he expects a quicker timeline when requested if he was concerned about dashing up the method.

RUSSIA, CHINA PRACTICE DESTROYING ‘HOSTIVE’ SUBMARINE IN SEA DRILL AFTER TRUMP MOVES US NUCLEAR ASSETS

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is interviewed on breakfast tv in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Papua New Guinea celebrates 50 years of independence. (Mick Tsikas/AAP picture by way of AP)

“Nicely, we do, sure … we make them transfer very, in a short time,” Trump instructed reporters Monday throughout a gathering with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the White Home.

But Trump additionally mentioned he didn’t imagine AUKUS was vital to discourage China as he praised his relationship with Chinese language President Xi Jinping, whom he’s anticipated to fulfill in South Korea later in October.

“I do not assume we will want it,” Trump mentioned of the trilateral settlement. “I feel China might be high quality. China does not need that. Initially, the US is by far the strongest army energy on this planet. It isn’t even shut, not even shut. We now have the very best tools. We now have the very best of every thing, and nobody goes to mess with that. And I do not see that in any respect with President Xi.”

TRUMP RAISES VEIL ON US SUBMARINES IN WARNING SHOT TO KREMLIN IN ‘SMART’ REPOSITION MOVEMENT

The Virginia-class quick assault submarine USS Colorado (SSN 788) was beforehand seen in the course of the commissioning ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London in 2018. (Dana Jensen/The Day by way of AP, File)

In the meantime, the AUKUS deal isn’t on probably the most secure footing because the US faces its personal challenges in shipbuilding capabilities.

A decent labor power and insufficient provide chain within the U.S. shipbuilding business may hinder the offers, based on a Congressional Analysis Service report launched in March. The report additionally warned that the US Navy would face a 20-year scarcity of assault submarines.

Though the Navy has ordered two boats yearly for the previous decade, U.S. shipyards have been in a position to produce only one.2 Virginia-class submarines per yr since 2022, the report mentioned.

TRUMP MOVES NUCLEAR SUBMARINE WEEKS AFTER PRAISING SUB’S POWER IN IRAN ATTACKS

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the White Home on October 20. (Mick Tsikas/AAP picture by way of AP)

Trump and Albanese additionally signed a vital minerals deal throughout their assembly on Monday. The settlement would require each international locations to speculate greater than $3 billion in essential mineral tasks over the subsequent six months, based on a White Home truth sheet.

The settlement additionally requires the Conflict Division to spend money on a sophisticated 100-ton-per-year gallium refinery in Western Australia to help “self-reliance within the processing of essential minerals,” the actual fact sheet mentioned.

The Related Press contributed to this report.