Pentagon review affirms timeline but warns of critical deadlines

Washington: The Pentagon’s review of the AUKUS defence pact has affirmed the deal’s existing timeline, but warns that all three countries must meet critical deadlines for the project to succeed, a person who has read it says.

The much-anticipated review, which took nearly six months to complete, has been read by members of the congressional armed services committees, and handed to the Australian government. The Pentagon does not intend to make the review public, a spokesman said.

Democratic congressman Joe Courtney, who is on the armed services committee and co-chairs the Friends of Australia Caucus, said the review confirmed the most contentious part of the deal – the sale of three Virginia-cl*** nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, starting in 2032.

But it also stressed that the pact required all three countries – Australia, the US and United Kingdom – to meet certain milestones in preparatory work.

“The report correctly determined that there are critical deadlines that all three countries have to meet,” Courtney said. “Therefore, maintaining disciplined adherence to schedule is paramount.”

One of those milestones involves the US lifting its rate of submarine production, which has languished at levels below that required to meet its AUKUS commitments.

Courtney noted Congress was due to sign off on additional funds for the maritime industrial base in coming weeks, building on more than $US10 billion ($15 billion) invested in the industry since 2018.

Australia is also contributing $US3 billion in cash to the US submarine industrial sector, at least $US1 billion of which has already been handed over.