The US State Department has cleared a $1-billion potential foreign military sale of submarine systems and related support for the UK as part of the AUKUS security partnership.
London requested technical support for the design and development of AUKUS submarine parts, including vertical deployment tubes; common weapon launchers; multiple all-up-round canister support service modules; network input output units; and servers, switches, and custom electronics.
It also includes simulation equipment, US industry support, and other engineering services and logistics and program support, which will be added to a previously implemented $50-million case.
The original sale covered non-recurring engineering support, design integration of US equipment, and other related elements for next-generation nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) for both the UK and Australia under AUKUS.
Several US companies will serve as the principal contractors, namely Huntington Ingalls Industries, General Dynamics Electric Boat, General Dynamics Mission Systems, Progeny Systems, Lockheed Martin, and Systems Planning and Analysis.
“The proposed sale will improve the UK’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing an effective combatant deterrent capability to protect maritime interests and infrastructure,” according to the notice.
It is also intended to support the security and strategic objectives of NATO and the US.
AUKUS
Launched in September 2021, AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US.
AUKUS aims to enhance each country’s defense capabilities to promote a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” boost military interoperability, and strengthen defense supply chains among the three countries.
The collaboration is structured around two main pillars, starting with providing Australia with SSNs.
Canberra will first acquire the US’ Virginia-class submarines in the early 2030s while it waits for a new and jointly developed “SSN-AUKUS” submarine design.
The second pillar expands into accelerating advanced military technologies among the three countries, including artificial intelligence, quantum tech, and autonomous underwater vehicles.
