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Australian officials have met with United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to recommit to the AUKUS partnership and US-Australia collaboration in ensuring stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles met with the new administration's representative in Washington DC and at the Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath in honour of the sacrifices of American service members and their families.
During bilateral meetings at the Pentagon, both officials discussed shared defence roles, security priorities, and the challenges and opportunities both nations see in the Indo-Pacific.
In addition, the leaders discussed defence industrial collaboration including cooperation in support of Australia's Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance enterprise. The Secretary conveyed the enduring commitment of the United States to the bilateral alliance with Australia and pledged to remain in close coordination with Deputy Prime Minister Marles.
“Our Government will work closely with the Trump Administration to realise the benefits of our strong economic and security partnership for our nations and the region,” according to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.
Under the AUKUS agreement, Australia will buy three Virginia-class submarines from the US to be delivered in the 2030s.
Together, all three partner nations will also develop a new platform called SSN-AUKUS, which is expected to be ready for use by the UK in the 2030s and by Australia in the 2040s.
The second AUKUS pillar involves enhancing joint capabilities and interoperability between the three nations.
“The president ... recognizes the importance of the defense industrial base,” according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“It enhances our ability in the (subsurface) space, but also our allies and partners ... this is not a mission in the Indo-Pacific that America can undertake by itself.
“It has to (include) robust allies and partners. Technology sharing and subs are a huge part of it.”
In advance of Marles' visit with Hegseth, Australia made the first payment of $500 million toward a $3 billion promised investment.
“Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met with Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles at the Pentagon to discuss key priorities to advance through the U.S.-Australia Alliance,” according to US Department of Defense Spokesman John Ullyot.
“The leaders discussed shared security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region, accelerating U.S. force posture initiatives in Australia, advancing defense industrial base cooperation on munitions, and key regional partnerships.
“The Secretary welcomed Australia's $500 million contribution under AUKUS to the U.S. Submarine Industrial Base that it provided this week as a key element of advancing defense industrial collaboration between our two countries and strengthening the bilateral alliance with Australia.”
