AUKUS Submarine Deal Transfers Via US Report
A fresh paper from the Congress Research Service of the United States Congressional has done a remarkable turn around in a talk about the AUKUS security pact. The paper elaborately studies the possibility that the United States may not sell any nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, even though the promises were given previously under the agreement. This alternative method would have the US Navy being the owner of the submarines and they would be operating them from Australian bases.
The report, which was compiled by the nonpartisan policy research branch of Congress, says that this model is the only option to be able to keep direct advanced military end-items under US command. The experts quoted in the publication argue that the main motive behind this strategy is political calculi, which includes the potential upcoming quarrel of China with Taiwan. Holding the submarines under command would secure their instant availability for the operational priorities of the US in the Indo-Pacific theater.
This twist introduces a new dimension to the already complex AUKUS partnership composed of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The original deal was primarily based on acquiring a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia to enhance maritime security and combat capabilities. The alternative proposition presents a similar situation in which the US submarines would be the ones present in the region, yet it would essentially change the balance of ability and the degree of control that Australia was expecting.
Source: The Guardian
