Allies Australia Says 'Occus' Will Be Dismissed From Trump's Re-Election

As former President Trump is elected in the U.S. presidential election, Australia is paying attention to whether the AUKUS (United States, United Kingdom, and Australia Security Alliance) will be able to continue in the second Trump term.

In particular, there are concerns that the purchase and development plan of nuclear-powered submarines will be disrupted.

Australia formed an Aucus with Britain and the United States in 2021 and introduced nuclear-powered submarines.

Specifically, the plan is to purchase up to five U.S.-made Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines by the early 2030 and build eight nuclear-powered submarines based on British designs in their own countries by the mid-2050s.

However, analysts say that the launch of the second Trump administration, which has put the U.S. first, will disrupt the purchase of submarines and technology transfer.

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who served as Australia's prime minister during Trump's first term, told Australian broadcaster that Australia would never buy Virginia-class submarines, as the U.S. is not producing enough submarines of its own.

"The Oocus contract is a very asymmetric contract, and Australia will take all the risks," he said.

In a related development, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had spoken to Trump on the phone about the importance of the alliance and the strength of the bilateral relationship in security, Oakers, trade and investment.

"We want to buy submarines because we want deterrence for peace, which is an important part of maintaining a peaceful, stable and prosperous region," Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also said in a media interview.