replace three to five Virginia-class boats that are to be sold to Australia under the AUKUS submarine (Pillar 1) project (see below), and reduce the accumulated Virginia-class production backlog.

At a meeting with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles in Washington last Friday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said: “The president is very aware, supportive of Aukus, recognises the ...

SYDNEY (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Donald Trump supported the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, after Australia on Friday confirmed its first $500 million payment ...