US Assures Neighbouring Country Will Possess Nuclear-Powered Submarines, Capable of Launching Missiles Up to 1,000 Kilometres
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The AUKUS defence pact has once again received strong support from top US military officials. The US Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Daryl Caudle, described the defence cooperation between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia as a ‘once in a lifetime’ strategic opportunity for Canberra amid increasing security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.
The statement was made by Caudle during a hearing at the House Armed Services Committee, as reported by the Daily Telegraph Australia on Thursday (15/5).
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Caudle regarding the nuclear submarine project within the AUKUS framework.
AUKUS is a trilateral security pact formed by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia in 2021. One of its main agendas is the development and transfer of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia to strengthen the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.
Caudle affirmed his full support for the implementation of AUKUS, including the plan to deploy US Virginia-class submarines to Australia. “I fully support AUKUS,” he said.
According to Caudle, the project has been designed in stages so as not to disrupt the combat readiness of the US Navy. He said that Washington is also strengthening infrastructure and operational cooperation in Western Australia as part of the implementation of the pact.
“We are really building it,” said Caudle, referring to his involvement in the development of AUKUS Pillar I, namely the nuclear submarine program.
The report indicates that Washington views AUKUS not just as an ordinary defence project, but as part of a long-term strategy to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Australia is positioned as one of the West’s key partners in strengthening the regional maritime security network, especially amid increasing geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China.
However, the AUKUS project also faces a number of challenges. Several previous reports highlighted the capacity of the US submarine industry, which is said to still be experiencing production delays.