SE Connecticut News

WASHINGTON, DC –Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, issued the following statement on the submission of the Navy’s FY2024 30-year shipbuilding plan. Among other things, the new plan reflects that the Navy has incorporated the AUKUS pact into the shipbuilding schedule.

“In March, President Biden took an historic step alongside Australia and the United Kingdom to announce the ‘optimal pathway’ to implement the trilateral AUKUS defense alliance and provide Australia with a conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine program. The pact signals the United States’ and all our allies’ commitment to upholding peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

“Today’s release of the Navy’s 30-year shipbuilding plan makes clear that the department is taking steps to realize that shared goal. By planning to build additional Virginia Class submarines in the 2030s, the Navy is ensuring we make good on the AUKUS agreement while also sustaining our required force structure and mitigating the challenges facing the Navy and industrial base.

“The new shipbuilding plan comes after I received testimony from our top commanders in the Indo-Pacific about the vital need to realize the AUKUS agreement and provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. As Admiral Aquilino told me, ‘Our work with both Australia and the United Kingdom as it applies to sharing…nuclear powered submarines is a really large step’ in deterring aggression, and ensuring continued peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

“I look forward to continuing my bipartisan work in Congress to ensure our allies and partners—including the Navy—have the resources they need to successfully execute the many components of the AUKUS agreement.”

The Navy’s updated shipbuilding plan states that:“…the department recognizes the significant strategic opportunity presented by the Australia, United Kingdom, and United States (AUKUS) trilateral security pact to make a positive contribution to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region by enhancing deterrence. Based on the Tri-Lateral Agreement announcement of March 2023, the Navy anticipates building additional Virginia class SSNs in the 2030s as replacements for submarines sold to Australia. The full impact of AUKUS upon the Navy’s shipbuilding plan cannot be characterized in this year’s report given the conclusion of the March 2023 Trilateral Agreement coincided with the finalization of this report coupled with additional studies that will continue this summer. The Navy is committed to AUKUS and will continue to engage with Congress and industry as analysis of the Optimal Pathway refines future SSN workload.”

To watch Rep. Courtney’s exchange at today’s House Armed Services Committee hearing, click here.

For more information on Rep. Courtney’s work on the AUKUS agreement, click here.

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Defense & National Security