Senate Committee Approves Submarine Transfer to Australia under AUKUS Pact

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved the transfer of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, a move that signifies progress for the AUKUS security pact. The decision was part of the National Defense Authorization Act, granting Australia a unique 20-year exemption from the stringent export rules of ITAR.

The AUKUS pact, a defense agreement among Australia, the United States, and Britain, was signed in 2021 and involves $368 billion worth of investments. The transfer of submarines to Australia is a key part of the agreement, aimed at bolstering the Indo-Pacific region's security in the face of challenges from China.

Despite this progress, the National Defense Authorization Act is still set to encounter hurdles before receiving full Senate and House approval. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers are locked in a fierce debate over social spending measures in the Pentagon’s defense budget, unrelated to the AUKUS agreement.

Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), underscored the bill's significance in meeting global challenges and modernizing the State Department for 21st-century demands. The proposed legislation is seen as a critical step in updating the U.S.'s diplomatic and national security capabilities, a move supported by Ranking Member, Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho).

In a strategic move to expedite approval, the AUKUS provision was included in the broader National Defense Authorization Act, rather than introduced as separate legislation. This decision is expected to speed up Congressional endorsement.

Australia's Ambassador to the U.S., Kevin Rudd, welcomed the committee's decision, expressing hope for the swift passage of the legislation. The transfer of submarines signifies a significant step in the implementation of the AUKUS pact, strengthening Australia's defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.