(CLO) US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Donald Trump supports the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, after Australia confirmed the first payment of $500 million under the defense pact on Friday.
"The president is very aware and supportive of AUKUS, recognizing the importance of the defense industry," Mr. Hegseth said at the opening of a meeting in Washington with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles.
Mr. Pete Hegseth. Photo: Gage Skidmore
According to AUKUS, Australia will pay the US $3 billion to boost the capabilities of the US submarine industry. Washington will sell several Virginia-class nuclear submarines to Australia in the early 2030s, while the UK and Australia will jointly build a new type of AUKUS-class submarine later.
Australia made the first payment of $500 million following a call between Mr Marles and Mr Hegseth on January 29.
Asked during a meeting with Mr Marles whether the US would deliver the nuclear submarines to Australia on time, Mr Hegseth replied: "We very much hope so."
"Part of President Trump's commitment is to cut red tape, invest in our defense industry, and make sure we stand up for our allies and partners," he added.
Australia is “pleased with the progress we are seeing in terms of production rates, both in construction and sustainment,” Mr Marles said, referring to the Virginia-class submarines.
Mr Marles is the first foreign counterpart to be hosted by Mr Hegseth since he was confirmed as defence secretary. The pair are expected to discuss security in the Indo-Pacific region and the growing US military presence in Australia, alongside discussions on AUKUS.
Set up in 2021, AUKUS is aimed at addressing shared concerns about China's growing power and is designed to allow Australia to acquire nuclear-powered attack submarines and other advanced weapons such as hypersonic missiles.
Under the deal, Royal Australian Navy sailors will be sent to US and UK submarine bases from this year to learn how to operate nuclear-powered submarines.
Cao Phong (according to The Guardian, Reuters)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ong-trump-ung-ho-hiep-uoc-aukus-sau-khi-uc-thanh-toan-tien-post333587.html
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