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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Ben Doherty

US congressional report explores option of not delivering any Aukus nuclear submarines to Australia

A Virginia-class attack submarine undergoing sea trials.
A Virginia-class attack submarine undergoing sea trials. A new report looks at alternatives to selling Australia nuclear attack submarines through the Aukus program and instead operating them under US command out of Australian bases. Photograph: Ashley Cowan/US Navy

A new United States congressional report openly contemplates not selling any nuclear submarines to Australia – as promised under the Aukus agreement – because America wants to retain control of the submarines for a potential conflict with China over Taiwan.

The report by the US Congressional Research Service, Congress’s policy research arm, posits an alternative “military division of labour” under which the submarines earmarked for sale to Australia are instead retained under US command to be sailed out of Australian bases.

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