Malcolm Turnbull wants Australia to invest in alternative defence capabilities as US reviews AUKUS agreement
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has long been critical of the AUKUS agreement. (ABC News: Harriet Tatham)
In short:
The Pentagon has announced a review of the AUKUS agreement to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.
With the rate of production for Virginia-class submarines currently not at the required level, there are doubts the deal will ever come to fruition.
What's next?
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull suggests Australia invest in other military capabilities.
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says the Australian government is misinformed when it comes to the AUKUS deal and the United States' ability to provide nuclear submarines.
Mr Turnbull, a longtime critic of the defence pact, claimed Defence Minister Richard Marles made an incorrect statement on 7.30, on the same day the US announced a review of the deal.
Mr Marles said he was confident the US could increase its production capacity to two boats per year to honour the deal.
"We need to get to that point in the early 2030s. That's the time frame," Mr Marles told 7.30.
"Right now, we are confident that we can meet that. And we are seeing real progress."
Mr Turnbull said Australia's defence minister was "misinformed".
"Richard Marles said that the rate of production of Virginia-class submarines is increasing. That's not true,"Mr Turnbull said.
"The latest numbers given to the Congress by the navy on 11 March this year was that the rate of production is 1.1 per annum.
"They need to get to two by 2028 to be able to meet their own requirements, and to 2.33 to meet their own, plus Australia's.
"And they have not been able to lift production rates despite the expenditure of over $10 billion over the last six or seven years. So, they've got a real problem."
United States Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth (left) with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. (Supplied)
Mr Turnbull said it was unlikely that Elbridge Colby, who is leading the Pentagon's review, would say the US could spare the submarines even if they could increase their production capacity.
"They're short of submarines today," Mr Turnbull said.
"They're producing about half as many as they need to produce for their own needs. The competitive threat from China is increasing. And there is a risk of war imminently, according to [US Defence Secretary Pete] Hegseth, over Taiwan.
"I think that they'll conclude in the review that that question is either answered in the negative — they can't spare them — or they certainly won't be saying they can."
While Mr Marles has repeatedly called for calm and said the US strategic review was what any new administration would do, Mr Turnbull said the matter would only end in one nation's favour while President Donald Trump pursued an "America first" position.
Under Donald Trump, the United States has pursued an "America first" policy. (Reuters: Ken Cedeno)
"I'm sure they'd like to continue receiving the $3 billion, of which Richard's given them the first deposit," Mr Turnbull said.
"As to whether we get any submarines, that will be judged purely and solely in accordance with their legislation in America's interest. And it is America First. That's the Zeitgeist."
Morrison's 'great achievement'
There is speculation the US will use the review to squeeze Australia on defence spending.
Scott Morrison came under attack from Malcolm Turnbull. (ABC News: Mark Moore)
Mr Marles told 7.30 that discussions and dialogue with the US remained open and he continued to push back on the suggestion Australia needed a 'plan B'.
"There is a plan here. We are sticking to it and we're going to deliver," he said. "Chopping and changing guarantees you will never have the capability."
But according to Mr Turnbull, Australia does need a plan B, with the current crop of Collins-class submarines nearing the end of their service life.
"It may be that it is too late. It may be that we end up with no submarines," he said, before firing a broadside at former prime minister Scott Morrison, who signed the AUKUS deal after scrapping a Turnbull government agreement for French submarines.
The US has announced a fresh probe into its AUKUS commitments to assess the impact of ‘geopolitical shifts’. (AP: Business Wire)
"That may be Scott's great achievement," he said.
"Let's assume that's the worst case.
"In that case, what we should be doing ... and this is certainly what's being canvassed by the Americans — we should be investing in alternatives.
"We could do the base, do the maintenance, leave the submarining to the Americans, and invest in other military capabilities that give us the ability to defend ourselves over a long range — long-range missiles, long-range bombers. Those capabilities."
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