Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and UK Secretary of State for Defense John Healey met at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore on May 30 to reaffirm their commitment to delivering the AUKUS partnership.
During their discussions, the ministers confirmed that AUKUS Pillar I remains on track to support Australia’s acquisition of a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability. They stated that key milestones continue to be met for Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West) and announced the finalization of necessary arrangements for its establishment in 2027. SRF-West will expand maintenance options and infrastructure in the region, accelerating Australia’s readiness to operate a sovereign conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine force. The United States has authorized establishment of Navy support elements for SRF-West and will begin rotating personnel to HMAS Stirling later this year. The United Kingdom also reaffirmed its rotational presence as part of SRF-West.
The ministers acknowledged Australia’s planned investments at SRF-West totaling up to AUD 8 billion for infrastructure at HMAS Stirling, initial down payments of AUD 3.9 billion toward a new Submarine Construction Yard in South Australia, and AUD 12 billion allocated for the Henderson Defense Precinct including contingency docking capabilities.
They welcomed proposals intended to streamline Australia’s acquisition of Virginia-class submarines by simplifying supply chain management and maximizing cost efficiencies; this would allow Australia to acquire three in-service Virginia-class submarines instead of a mix with new variants. Progress was also noted on SSN-AUKUS design and delivery efforts—supported by UK investments including GBP 6 billion committed in 2025—that aim to provide advanced warfighting capabilities.
Under Pillar II, the ministers announced development work on cutting-edge payloads and enabling systems for uncrewed undersea vehicles as the first AUKUS Pillar II Signature Project with delivery beginning in 2027. This project aims to enhance protection of seabed infrastructure as well as surveillance, reconnaissance, strike operations, logistics support, anti-submarine warfare capabilities, mine countermeasures, electronic warfare functions, and contested littoral maneuvering.
The meeting concluded with confirmation from all parties supporting an expanded license-free environment among AUKUS partners by narrowing excluded technologies lists. They also reiterated support for industry forums aimed at deepening trilateral defense industrial base collaboration.
