The Trump administration is threatening to cancel the AUKUS submarine deal with Australia. Why – because Trump can. But Trump’s move may just create a benefit for both Canada and Australia. Not all Australians supported the deal originally and that was before Trump’s tariffs. Today there may just be a large degree of buyer’s remorse. This leads to opportunity. Prior to AUKUS, Australia was contemplating conventionally powered submarines from France. If AUKUS goes away, they may be left going hat-in-hand, back to France. Or Canada could step in and suggest a new Canadian Australian cooperative relationship to buy new submarines. Canada is looking for 12 new air-independent, conventionally powered submarines, which was the number Australia had planned from France. By joining forces, the two countries could bulk buy 24 new submarines, saving both countries billions of dollars. Since the French agreement fell apart due to security and cost implications, one of these issues would be quickly resolved. In addition, since Australia’s submarine deal died, air-independent power, submarine technology has accelerated, making the prospects of these new, long range, stealthy submarines well worth considering. Korea’s KSSIII, SAAB’s C71 and Sweden’s A26, all provide new technologies for conventional submarines.
New submarines for Canada and Australia. No Trump, No U.S. control.
