Aug 13, 2026 – 5.51pmThe author of the Trump administration’s review into AUKUS has stopped short of guaranteeing the delivery on time of three second-hand nuclear-powered submarines, saying the US remained “optimistic but clear-eyed” about the commitment.Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby, who is near the end of a tour through the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia, told journalists during a regional webinar that AUKUS continued to have Donald Trump’s blessing and remained “full steam ahead”.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
‘Optimistic but clear-eyed’: US can’t guarantee AUKUS subs deadline
Elbridge Colby says AUKUS is “full steam ahead” but didn’t guarantee Australia would receive three nuclear subs next decade.
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