Despite a tentative of some US politicians to de-escalate the situation, expressing strong support for AUKUS in a letter to President Biden in the last few days, it is clear that some Washington lawmakers have grown more concerned about the state of the US submarine industrial base as well as its ability to support the desired AUKUS SSN end state. Indeed, in the last weeks, some US Defense news websites revealed that 2 illustrious Senators, with important seats in the Armed Services Committee, Jack Reed, a Democratic from Rhode Island, and James Inhofe, a former Republican from Oklahoma State, wrote a letter sent to the White House reporting not to sell the US built submarines to Australia under the partnership. They raised the “red flag” about their assessment of the facts to avoid stressing the US submarine industrial and shipyard base to the breaking point. In particular, they have focused their warning against any plan to sell or transfer any VIRGINIA-class submarine to Australia before the US Navy has met its current requirement, which is 66 fast attack submarines in varying force structure assessments. The 2 Senators noted that the service has only 50 boats in the fleet today and expects to see its inventory reduced to 48 by 2027 when older subs retire more rapidly than new ones are delivered. They also raised the point that the positive opportunity to support Australia and the United Kingdom and keep long-term competitive advantages for the US and its Pacific allies may be turning into a zero-sum game for scarce, highly advanced US SSNs. AUKUS alliance refers to the security agreement announced in September 2021 between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and involves, but is not limited to, the US and the UK sharing highly sensitive nuclear submarine technology with Canberra in order to give it the possibility to develop and operate nuclear-powered submarines, or potentially receive American VIRGINIA-class subs outright. In accordance with the initial deal, the 3 governments would spend 18 months on a preliminary planning phase before advancing to the final agreement; this phase is scheduled to end in March 2023. Australian PM, Anthony Albanese, stocking to the initial trilateral deal, put the decisions in the context of Australia’s Defense Strategic Review, due in March. Many points should be discussed during that event, where every proposed acquisition will be put under the microscope to be sure every dollar spent may be functional for Australian national security including the famous new IFV, the new version of the ABRAMS, and the attack helicopters (GUARDIAN) acquisitions.

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