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Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) announced the introduction of the AUKUS Submarine Transfer Authorization Act, co-sponsored by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX). AUKUS is the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This legislation would authorize the sale of up to two Virginia Class Submarines to Australia. Additionally, the legislation puts the entire transfer process under Congressional oversight and requires Presidential level certification that ensures we protect our own national security commitments when making this transfer.

“As China transitions to a maritime power, the focus should be deterrence in the South China Sea,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “This bill leads to a pathway of an interoperable maritime force between the United States and our Australian Allies.  America and our partners must take seriously the radically different vision the Chinese Communist Party has for the world. This legislation is the first step to fully realizing the benefits of the mutual partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States and the shared strategic goal of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”

“This alliance will be critical to deterring China’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific,” said Congressman Michael McCaul. “This bill will provide for our allies, build closer ties between the U.S. and Australia, and strengthen both U.S. and Australian national security.”  

Background: 

In September 2021, leaders of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced the creation of an enhanced trilateral security partnership called "AUKUS." AUKUS is intended to strengthen the ability of each government to support security and defense interests, building on longstanding and ongoing bilateral ties. It will promote deeper information sharing and technology sharing; and foster deeper integration of security and defense-related science, technology, industrial bases, and supply chains. The first initiative under AUKUS is a commitment to support Australia in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.

The Virginia Class Submarines are the newest submarines in the U.S. Fleet. These fast-attack submarines are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities – sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence. Fast-attack submarines project power ashore with special operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles in the prevention or response to regional crises.