Original article by Michael Koziol
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: Online : 22-Apr-26

US Vice Admiral Robert Gaucher says the Trump administration remains committed to the AUKUS alliance. However, he says the US Navy’s priority is the next-generation Columbia-class of nuclear-powered submarines, rather than the Virginia-class vessels. Gaucher has conceded that the production rate for Virginia-class submarines is still well below that required to meet the needs of both the US Navy and the deal to sell at least three vessels to Australia via the AUKUS defence pact. A spokesman for Defence Minister Richard Marles say the federal government is confident that the US submarines will be delivered.

CORPORATES
UNITED STATES NAVY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF DEFENCE