US Congress approves AUKUS bill

The US Congress has passed the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes substantial enabling provisions for Australia’s AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program. The NDAA will see the transfer of Virginia-class Submarines to Australia and will streamline the flow of defence trade between AUKUS partners.

The NDAA will also establish a national exemption for Australia and the United Kingdom from US defence export control licensing and adds Australia and the United Kingdom to the US Defense Production Act.

Australia’s Minister for Defence and Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, said, “AUKUS is a game-changer for Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States – the legislation passed by US Congress will enhance our individual and collective capacity to support security, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

“The … Act which will see the transfer of submarines and streamlined export control provisions, symbolising the strength of our Alliance, and our shared commitment to the AUKUS partnership.”

Specifically, the NDAA will:

• Authorise the transfer of three Virginia-class submarines to Australia, including two in-service submarines and one off the production line. This will ensure there is no gap in Australia’s critical submarine capability in the lead-up to delivering Australian-built SSN-AUKUS submarines from the early 2040s. Australia will retain the option to seek congressional approval for purchase of up to two more Virginia class submarines
• Authorise the maintenance of US submarines by Australians in Australia. This will lead to a rotational presence from as early as 2027 under Submarine Rotational Force West (SRF-West). The most complex maintenance activity on a US nuclear-powered submarine in Australia to date is planned at HMAS Stirlingin the second half of 2024
• Authorise Australian contractors, alongside APS ad ADF personnel, to train in US shipyards to support the development of Australia’s submarine industrial base
• Establish a mechanism for the US to accept funds from Australia to lift the capacity of the submarine industrial base. This will lift US capacity to deliver Virginia class submarines to Australia as soon as possible. This investment will also complement Australia’s significant investment in its own domestic submarine industrial base
• Include a national exemption from US export control licencing requirements. This will be complemented by the Defence Trade Controls Amendment Bill 2023, introduced into the Australian Parliament by the Government on 30 November 2023, and will allow the transfer of controlled goods and technology between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States without the need for an export licence. This is a significant step forward for Australian Defence Industry, says the Minister
• Direct expedited decision-making for Foreign Military Sales and exports not covered by the national exemption. This includes a pre-clearance list and expedited decision process for Foreign Military Sales and a maximum of 45 days for a decision on exports not covered by the national exemption
• Add Australia and the United Kingdom to Title III of the US Defense Production Act. This Act allows the US Government to incentivise its industrial base to expand the production and supply of critical materials and goods. Australia’s addition will open new opportunities for Australian based industry to directly compete for business with the US Government

“Australia’s alliance with the United States is unprecedented in scale, scope and significance,” said Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy. “The Congressional approval of the National Defense Authorization Act brings us closer to realising a generational opportunity to ensure Australia is best-equipped to not only protect Australians and their interests but to also support stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.

“Crucially, the passage of the NDAA will revolutionise and enable unprecedented levels of collaboration, scientific, technological and industrial cooperation and co-development and paves the way for Australia to continue to build up its sovereign workforce capacity.”