Pentagon official and former Aukus sceptic Elbridge Colby has mirrored his president’s language on the nuclear submarine deal, saying it is “full steam ahead”. Colby, a US under secretary of war, was the author of the Trump administration’s review of the Aukus deal, which would see the US sell three in-service Virginia-class submarines to Australia, before the development of Australia’s domestically built Aukus-class submarines. Colby’s comments come in the same week an inquiry into Aukus held public hearings in Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla. The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told the inquiry Australia’s blind faith in the Aukus submarine deal was “stark staring bonkers”, and argued the asymmetric deal with the US would likely result in no submarines at all for Australia. Colby, however, remains optimistic. He told an Asia-Pacific press briefing on Thursday “we’re very pleased to say that Aukus is – as the president said – full steam ahead”. He said the Pentagon was “very pleased with the progress that has been made since the conclusion of the Aukus review which … has provided a roadmap for the success of the Aukus program. Colby said the Pentagon was “very focused on submarine production, submarine maintenance, and making sure that that’s in as strong a place as it can be”. He said the US had “no better ally” than Australia, and that the US and Australia enjoyed a “deep alignment of thinking”. Colby was asked about production rates of Virginia-class submarines, and also the potential presence of nuclear-armed submarines at Australian ports. US boat-building rates have remained stubbornly laggard. It is currently manufacturing Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 1.1 to 1.2 a year. That rate needs to be lifted to two boats a year to service US needs alone, and 2.33 boats a year in order to sell any to Australia. Colby did not comment on the potential of nuclear-armed US submarines docking at Australian ports. The US maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” around its nuclear capabilities, refusing to confirm or deny whether its nuclear-capable platforms – including aircraft submarines – are carrying nuclear warheads. The Australian Department of Defence says it respects the US policy and does not ask whether platforms – such as B-52 bombers landing on Australian soil – are nuclear-armed. Colby’s comments come in the same week an inquiry into Aukus held public hearings in Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla. The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told the inquiry Australia’s blind faith in the Aukus submarine deal was “stark staring bonkers”, and argued the asymmetric deal with the US would likely result in no submarines at all for Australia. Colby, however, remains optimistic. He said the Pentagon was “very focused on submarine production, submarine maintenance, and making sure that that’s in as strong a place as it can be”. He said the US had “no better ally” than Australia, and that the US and Australia enjoyed a “deep alignment of thinking”. Colby was asked about production rates of Virginia-class submarines, and also the potential presence of nuclear-armed submarines at Australian ports. US boat-building rates have remained stubbornly laggard. It is currently manufacturing Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 1.1 to 1.2 a year. That rate needs to be lifted to two boats a year to service US needs alone, and 2.33 boats a year in order to sell any to Australia. Colby did not comment on the potential of nuclear-armed US submarines docking at Australian ports. The US maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” around its nuclear capabilities, refusing to confirm or deny whether its nuclear-capable platforms – including aircraft submarines – are carrying nuclear warheads. The Australian Department of Defence says it respects the US policy and does not ask whether platforms – such as B-52 bombers landing on Australian soil – are nuclear-armed. Colby’s comments come in the same week an inquiry into Aukus held public hearings in Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla. The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told the inquiry Australia’s blind faith in the Aukus submarine deal was “stark staring bonkers”, and argued the asymmetric deal with the US would likely result in no submarines at all for Australia. Colby, however, remains optimistic. He said the Pentagon was “very focused on submarine production, submarine maintenance, and making sure that that’s in as strong a place as it can be”. He said the US had “no better ally” than Australia, and that the US and Australia enjoyed a “deep alignment of thinking”. Colby was asked about production rates of Virginia-class submarines, and also the potential presence of nuclear-armed submarines at Australian ports. US boat-building rates have remained stubbornly laggard. It is currently manufacturing Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 1.1 to 1.2 a year. That rate needs to be lifted to two boats a year to service US needs alone, and 2.33 boats a year in order to sell any to Australia. Colby did not comment on the potential of nuclear-armed US submarines docking at Australian ports. The US maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” around its nuclear capabilities, refusing to confirm or deny whether its nuclear-capable platforms – including aircraft submarines – are carrying nuclear warheads. The Australian Department of Defence says it respects the US policy and does not ask whether platforms – such as B-52 bombers landing on Australian soil – are nuclear-armed. Colby’s comments come in the same week an inquiry into Aukus held public hearings in Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla. The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told the inquiry Australia’s blind faith in the Aukus submarine deal was “stark staring bonkers”, and argued the asymmetric deal with the US would likely result in no submarines at all for Australia. Colby, however, remains optimistic. He said the Pentagon was “very focused on submarine production, submarine maintenance, and making sure that that’s in as strong a place as it can be”. He said the US had “no better ally” than Australia, and that the US and Australia enjoyed a “deep alignment of thinking”. Colby was asked about production rates of Virginia-class submarines, and also the potential presence of nuclear-armed submarines at Australian ports. US boat-building rates have remained stubbornly laggard. It is currently manufacturing Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 1.1 to 1.2 a year. That rate needs to be lifted to two boats a year to service US needs alone, and 2.33 boats a year in order to sell any to Australia. Colby did not comment on the potential of nuclear-armed US submarines docking at Australian ports. The US maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” around its nuclear capabilities, refusing to confirm or deny whether its nuclear-capable platforms – including aircraft submarines – are carrying nuclear warheads. The Australian Department of Defence says it respects the US policy and does not ask whether platforms – such as B-52 bombers landing on Australian soil – are nuclear-armed. Colby’s comments come in the same week an inquiry into Aukus held public hearings in Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla. The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told the inquiry Australia’s blind faith in the Aukus submarine deal was “stark staring bonkers”, and argued the asymmetric deal with the US would likely result in no submarines at all for Australia. Colby, however, remains optimistic. He said the Pentagon was “very focused on submarine production, submarine maintenance, and making sure that that’s in as strong a place as it can be”. He said the US had “no better ally” than Australia, and that the US and Australia enjoyed a “deep alignment of thinking”. Colby was asked about production rates of Virginia-class submarines, and also the potential presence of nuclear-armed submarines at Australian ports. US boat-building rates have remained stubbornly laggard. It is currently manufacturing Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 1.1 to 1.2 a year. That rate needs to be lifted to two boats a year to service US needs alone, and 2.33 boats a year in order to sell any to Australia. Colby did not comment on the potential of nuclear-armed US submarines docking at Australian ports. The US maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” around its nuclear capabilities, refusing to confirm or deny whether its nuclear-capable platforms – including aircraft submarines – are carrying nuclear warheads. The Australian Department of Defence says it respects the US policy and does not ask whether platforms – such as B-52 bombers landing on Australian soil – are nuclear-armed. Colby’s comments come in the same week an inquiry into Aukus held public hearings in Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla. The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told the inquiry Australia’s blind faith in the Aukus submarine deal was “stark staring bonkers”, and argued the asymmetric deal with the US would likely result in no submarines at all for Australia. Colby, however, remains optimistic. He said the Pentagon was “very focused on submarine production, submarine maintenance, and making sure that that’s in as strong a place as it can be”. He said the US had “no better ally” than Australia, and that the US and Australia enjoyed a “deep alignment of thinking”. Colby was asked about production rates of Virginia-class submarines, and also the potential presence of nuclear-armed submarines at Australian ports. US boat-building rates have remained stubbornly laggard. It is currently manufacturing Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 1.1 to 1.2 a year. That rate needs to be lifted to two boats a year to service US needs alone, and 2.33 boats a year in order to sell any to Australia. Colby did not comment on the potential of nuclear-armed US submarines docking at Australian ports. The US maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” around its nuclear capabilities, refusing to confirm or deny whether its nuclear-capable platforms – including aircraft submarines – are carrying nuclear warheads. The Australian Department of Defence says it respects the US policy and does not ask whether platforms – such as B-52 bombers landing on Australian soil – are nuclear-armed. Colby’s comments come in the same week an inquiry into Aukus held public hearings in Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla. The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told the inquiry Australia’s blind faith in the Aukus submarine deal was “stark staring bonkers”, and argued the asymmetric deal with the US would likely result in no submarines at all for Australia. Colby, however, remains optimistic. He said the Pentagon was “very focused on submarine production, submarine maintenance, and making sure that that’s in as strong a place as it can be”. He said the US had “no better ally” than Australia, and that the US and Australia enjoyed a “deep alignment of thinking”. Colby was asked about production rates of Virginia-class submarines, and also the potential presence of nuclear-armed submarines at Australian ports. US boat-building rates have remained stubbornly laggard. It is currently manufacturing Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 1.1 to 1.2 a year. That rate needs to be lifted to two boats a year to service US needs alone, and 2.33 boats a year in order to sell any to Australia. Colby did not comment on the potential of nuclear-armed US submarines docking at Australian ports. The US maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” around its nuclear capabilities, refusing to confirm or deny whether its nuclear-capable platforms – including aircraft submarines – are carrying nuclear warheads. The Australian Department of Defence says it respects the US policy and does not ask whether platforms – such as B-52 bombers landing on Australian soil – are nuclear-armed. Colby’s comments come in the same week an inquiry into Aukus held public hearings in Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla. The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told the inquiry Australia’s blind faith in the Aukus submarine deal was “stark staring bonkers”, and argued the asymmetric deal with the US would likely result in no submarines at all for Australia. Colby, however, remains optimistic. He said the Pentagon was “very focused on submarine production, submarine maintenance, and making sure that that’s in as strong a place as it can be”. He said the US had “no better ally” than Australia, and that the US and Australia enjoyed a “deep alignment of thinking”. Colby was asked about production rates of Virginia-class submarines, and also the potential presence of nuclear-armed submarines at Australian ports. US boat-building rates have remained stubbornly laggard. It is currently manufacturing Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 1.1 to 1.2 a year. That rate needs to be lifted to two boats a year to service US needs alone, and 2.33 boats a year in order to sell any to Australia. Colby did not comment on the potential of nuclear-armed US submarines docking at Australian ports. The US maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” around its nuclear capabilities, refusing to confirm or deny whether its nuclear-capable platforms – including aircraft submarines – are carrying nuclear warheads. The Australian Department of Defence says it respects the US policy and does not ask whether platforms – such as B-52 bombers landing on Australian soil – are nuclear-armed. Colby’s comments come in the same week an inquiry into Aukus held public hearings in Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla. The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told the inquiry Australia’s blind faith in the Aukus submarine deal was “stark staring bonkers”, and argued the asymmetric deal with the US would likely result in no submarines at all for Australia. Colby, however, remains optimistic. He said the Pentagon was “very focused on submarine production, submarine maintenance, and making sure that that’s in as strong a place as it can be”. He said the US had “no better ally” than Australia, and that the US and Australia enjoyed a “deep alignment of thinking”. Colby was asked about production rates of Virginia-class submarines, and also the potential presence of nuclear-armed submarines at Australian ports. US boat-building rates have remained stubbornly laggard. It is currently manufacturing Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 1.1 to 1.2 a year. That rate needs to be lifted to two boats a year to service US needs alone, and 2.33 boats a year in order to sell any to Australia. Colby did not comment on the potential of nuclear-armed US submarines docking at Australian ports. The US maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” around its nuclear capabilities, refusing to confirm or deny whether its nuclear-capable platforms – including aircraft submarines – are carrying nuclear warheads. The Australian Department of Defence says it respects the US policy and does not ask whether platforms – such as B-52 bombers landing on Australian soil – are nuclear-armed. Colby’s comments come in the same week an inquiry into Aukus held public hearings in Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla. The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told the inquiry Australia’s blind faith in the Aukus submarine deal was “stark staring bonkers”, and argued the asymmetric deal with the US would likely result in no submarines at all for Australia. Colby, however, remains optimistic. He said the Pentagon was “very focused on submarine production, submarine maintenance, and making sure that that’s in as strong a place as it can be”. He said the US had “no better ally” than Australia, and that the US and Australia enjoyed a “deep alignment of thinking”. Colby was asked about production rates of Virginia-class submarines, and also the potential presence of nuclear-armed submarines at Australian ports. US boat-building rates have remained stubbornly laggard. It is currently manufacturing Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 1.1 to 1.2 a year. That rate needs to be lifted to two boats a year to service US needs alone, and 2.33 boats a year in order to sell any to Australia. Colby did not comment on the potential of nuclear-armed US submarines docking at Australian ports. The US maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” around its nuclear capabilities, refusing to confirm or deny whether its nuclear-capable platforms – including aircraft submarines – are carrying nuclear warheads. The Australian Department of Defence says it respects the US policy and does not ask whether platforms – such as B-52 bombers landing on Australian soil – are nuclear-armed. Colby’s comments come in the same week an inquiry into Aukus held public hearings in Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla. The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told the inquiry Australia’s blind faith in the Aukus submarine deal was “stark staring bonkers”, and argued the asymmetric deal with the US would likely result in no submarines at all for Australia. Colby, however, remains optimistic. He said the Pentagon was “very focused on submarine production, submarine maintenance, and making sure that that’s in as strong a place as it can be”. He said the US had “no better ally” than Australia, and that the US and Australia enjoyed a “deep alignment of thinking”. Colby was asked about production rates of Virginia-class submarines, and also the potential presence of nuclear-armed submarines at Australian ports. US boat-building rates have remained stubbornly laggard. It is currently manufacturing Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 1.1 to 1.2 a year. That rate needs to be lifted to two boats a year to service US needs alone, and 2.33 boats a year in order to sell any to Australia. Colby did not comment on the potential of nuclear-armed US submarines docking at Australian ports. The US maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” around its nuclear capabilities, refusing to confirm or deny whether its nuclear-capable platforms – including aircraft submarines – are carrying nuclear warheads. The Australian Department of Defence says it respects the US policy and does not ask whether platforms – such as B-52 bombers landing on Australian soil – are nuclear-armed. Colby’s comments come in the same week an inquiry into Aukus held public hearings in Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla. The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told the inquiry Australia’s blind faith in the Aukus submarine deal was “stark staring bonkers”, and argued the asymmetric deal with the US would likely result in no submarines at all for Australia. Colby, however, remains optimistic. He said the Pentagon was “very focused on submarine production, submarine maintenance, and making sure that that’s in as strong a place as it can be”. He said the US had “no better ally” than Australia, and that the US and Australia enjoyed a “deep alignment of thinking”. Colby was asked about production rates of Virginia-class submarines, and also the potential presence of nuclear-armed submarines at Australian ports. US boat-building rates have remained stubbornly laggard. It is currently manufacturing Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 1.1 to 1.2 a year. That rate needs to be lifted to two boats a year to service US needs alone, and 2.33 boats a year in order to sell any to Australia. Colby did not comment on the potential of nuclear-armed US submarines docking at Australian ports. The US maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” around its nuclear capabilities, refusing to confirm or deny whether its nuclear-capable platforms – including aircraft submarines – are carrying nuclear warheads. The Australian Department of Defence says it respects the US policy and does not ask whether platforms – such as B-52 bombers landing on Australian soil – are nuclear-armed. Colby’s comments come in the same week an inquiry into Aukus
