{"id":15744,"date":"2026-02-16T03:39:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T03:39:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/looming-shift-in-us-navy-strategy-bodes-well-for-australias-subs\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T03:39:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T03:39:15","slug":"looming-shift-in-us-navy-strategy-bodes-well-for-australias-subs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/looming-shift-in-us-navy-strategy-bodes-well-for-australias-subs\/","title":{"rendered":"Looming shift in US Navy strategy bodes well for Australia\u2019s subs"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div data-testid=\"ad-sticky-container\" class=\"sc-dfb011b6-0 dncfJv\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 fMIAOk adWrapper noPrint sc-1c01c11e-0 iEpzep\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<header class=\"sc-12aa4a36-0 gQVHPI\">\n<div class=\"sc-5cbbddda-0 cRMyzw\">\n<div data-testid=\"article-author\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-1 kekTYX\" readability=\"4.3333333333333\">\n<div readability=\"5.3333333333333\">\n<p data-testid=\"article-datetime\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-5 jMFiFd\"><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 dLDTDi\"><time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-02-16T05:00:00+11:00\">February 16, 2026<!-- --> &mdash; 5:00am<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-0 hMrcSL noPrint\" data-testid=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-1 cbqDrw\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 cGFoDo\" readability=\"8.5431472081218\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 bYQiGM\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 bRyYMS\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 bBuibL\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 bnZsbn sc-d1b14060-3 bnLMbo\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 NcyxX\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 dpTpUw sc-369d9219-0 ipWbwh\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"9\">\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-1 eGTSJh\">Save this article for later<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-2 crcSSW\">Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-0 sc-3f16ee48-6 sc-369d9219-3 dXbfCd gDnvwr gxYZHU\">Got it<\/button><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/12-weeks-jail-for-school-it-support-technician-who-took-upskirt-videos-of-teachers\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">&lt;div&gt;12 weeks' jail for school IT support technician who took upskirt videos of teachers&lt;\/div&gt;<\/span><\/a><\/div><p><button aria-label=\"Set font size to normal\" aria-pressed=\"true\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 fKewKr\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to larger\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 kfmQUR\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to very large\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 kfmPpl\">A<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<aside class=\"sc-67b869c7-6 cFwlqx\"><\/aside>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"27.465560165975\">\n<p><strong>Washington:<\/strong> The United States Navy is preparing for a significant shift in its plans that could reduce its reliance on Virginia-class attack submarines, potentially making it easier for Australia to acquire the vessels as planned under the AUKUS agreement.<\/p>\n<p>There are also signs the lagging rate of US submarine production is improving, with one shipyard boasting of a 14 per cent jump in productivity and saying the Virginia-class boats had a &ldquo;very good year&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 fhsnES\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 bsFdcS\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.092%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2f6dc02a752a5b9888b5695b2b55ea3fa405de4b, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.092%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2f6dc02a752a5b9888b5695b2b55ea3fa405de4b 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.092%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2f6dc02a752a5b9888b5695b2b55ea3fa405de4b, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.092%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2f6dc02a752a5b9888b5695b2b55ea3fa405de4b 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The USS Minnesota, a Virginia-class submarine, off the coast of Western Australia last year.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.092,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/2f6dc02a752a5b9888b5695b2b55ea3fa405de4b\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.092%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2f6dc02a752a5b9888b5695b2b55ea3fa405de4b, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.092%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2f6dc02a752a5b9888b5695b2b55ea3fa405de4b 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 bnWZMz\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 eROwEo\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 hMRMLa\"><span>The USS Minnesota, a Virginia-class submarine, off the coast of Western Australia last year.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jnumBu\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jkEJCb\">Getty Images<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The navy has recently advertised its plans for a &ldquo;hedge strategy&rdquo; that moves away from reliance on large and expensive aircraft strike carrier groups towards more flexible and adaptable fleets. The shift responds to what Chief of Naval Operations Daryl Caudle called &ldquo;fiscal, industrial and operational realities&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<p>A January briefing paper by the Congressional Research Service cited a recent report in <em>Jane&rsquo;s Navy International<\/em>, a specialist military publication, which revealed the navy was contemplating cutting its target number of attack submarines from its long-time goal of 66 to 54 &ndash; only slightly more than it has now.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"28.184713375796\">\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/migrant-acquitted-in-first-trial-over-us-border-military-zones\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">Migrant acquitted in first trial over US border military zones<\/span><\/a><\/div><p>The <em>Jane&rsquo;s<\/em> report was based on draft plans for the so-called Golden Fleet, the navy&rsquo;s next fleet iteration, that were seen by the author and under consideration by navy leadership.<\/p>\n<p>If confirmed, the change would be significant because it would reduce the US Navy&rsquo;s reliance on the Virginia-class subs, making it more likely that it can &ldquo;spare&rdquo; some for Australia. Under AUKUS, Canberra is due to purchase three to five boats, starting in 2032.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 fhsnES\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 bsFdcS\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.475%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/f5c4308fd277997e02243e772ad1efa308b46b9b, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.475%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/f5c4308fd277997e02243e772ad1efa308b46b9b 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.475%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/f5c4308fd277997e02243e772ad1efa308b46b9b, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.475%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/f5c4308fd277997e02243e772ad1efa308b46b9b 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Bryan Clark: &ldquo;The impact of the AUKUS subs on the US submarine inventory is decreasing over time.&rdquo;\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.475,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/f5c4308fd277997e02243e772ad1efa308b46b9b\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.475%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/f5c4308fd277997e02243e772ad1efa308b46b9b, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.475%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/f5c4308fd277997e02243e772ad1efa308b46b9b 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 bnWZMz\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 eROwEo\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 hMRMLa\"><span>Bryan Clark: &ldquo;The impact of the AUKUS subs on the US submarine inventory is decreasing over time.&rdquo;<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jnumBu\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jkEJCb\">Twitter<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Bryan Clark, director of the Centre for Defence Concepts and Technology at the Hudson Institute, who has worked directly with the navy on its force level planning, confirmed it was heading in that direction.<\/p>\n<p>He said the navy wanted to build a new generation of large-diameter submarines, as well as new unmanned vessels, making it unrealistic to keep growing the fleet of Virginias.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"22.141040462428\">\n<p>&ldquo;I think the impact of the AUKUS subs on the US submarine inventory is decreasing over time,&rdquo; Clark told this masthead. &ldquo;Their long-term need for Virginia [subs] is going down a little bit. They&rsquo;re seeing these uncrewed systems as a way of addressing what they need, so they don&rsquo;t require a submarine any more.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Clark said it was too early to be certain if the navy would actually reduce its target for the Virginia-class boats. &ldquo;But I think internally they are starting to lock it down.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Pentagon directed inquiries to the navy, which didn&rsquo;t respond to questions before deadline.<\/p>\n<p>Since US President Donald Trump confirmed the AUKUS agreement was &ldquo;full steam ahead&rdquo; in October, the major roadblocks to the first stage of Pillar I remain the capacity of the US industrial base to produce enough of the submarines, and the US&rsquo;s need for them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"25.324372759857\">\n<p>Under AUKUS legislation, the US president of the day must be satisfied that the transfer of any submarine to Australia &ldquo;will not degrade the United States&rsquo; undersea capabilities&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<p>The official production rate given by the navy last April was 1.13 vessels a year, but it needs to be at least 2.0. Caudle told his confirmation hearing that the rate needed to double for the US to fulfil its AUKUS commitments to Australia, and at the Apex Defence Forum in Washington last month, he noted that the US defence industrial base &ldquo;continues to lag well below demand&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 fhsnES\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 bsFdcS\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.098%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_3%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/44812d0e26495d1c215d3f21accbe6aaef993a5f, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.098%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_3%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/44812d0e26495d1c215d3f21accbe6aaef993a5f 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.098%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_3%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/44812d0e26495d1c215d3f21accbe6aaef993a5f, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.098%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_3%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/44812d0e26495d1c215d3f21accbe6aaef993a5f 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump unveiling the new &ldquo;Trump-class&rdquo; battleship that would be part of the so-called Golden Fleet.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.098,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_3,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/44812d0e26495d1c215d3f21accbe6aaef993a5f\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.098%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_3%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/44812d0e26495d1c215d3f21accbe6aaef993a5f, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.098%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_3%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/44812d0e26495d1c215d3f21accbe6aaef993a5f 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 bnWZMz\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 eROwEo\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 hMRMLa\"><span>US President Donald Trump unveiling the new &ldquo;Trump-class&rdquo; battleship that would be part of the so-called Golden Fleet.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jnumBu\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jkEJCb\">AFP<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>However, there are limited signs that production is improving. The Virginia-class vessels are built by two US companies: General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) and Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) &ndash; the only two shipyards capable of building nuclear-powered submarines.<\/p>\n<p>On an earnings call earlier this month, HII reported a 14 per cent increase in throughput &ndash; or productivity &ndash; on the Virginia-class boats in 2025.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"25.323529411765\">\n<p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s an incremental walk-up in throughput required to get to the two Virginia-class per year. But they had a very good year last year,&rdquo; the company&rsquo;s president, Chris Kastner, said on the call.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 QbJUT\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 fNPBEP\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\" class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 cMGLSH\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 hUTlgn\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.6390607407407407%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_219%2C$y_24\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/789350fccc471d2675f73f552f1799d98354568c, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.6390607407407407%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_219%2C$y_24\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/789350fccc471d2675f73f552f1799d98354568c 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.6390607407407407%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_219%2C$y_24\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/789350fccc471d2675f73f552f1799d98354568c, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.6390607407407407%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_219%2C$y_24\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/789350fccc471d2675f73f552f1799d98354568c 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Donald Trump greets Anthony Albanese at the White House in October.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.6390607407407407,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_219,%24y_24\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/789350fccc471d2675f73f552f1799d98354568c\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.6390607407407407%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_219%2C$y_24\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/789350fccc471d2675f73f552f1799d98354568c, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.6390607407407407%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_219%2C$y_24\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/789350fccc471d2675f73f552f1799d98354568c 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 jiJqza\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The navy has also reported a slight improvement in progress on its first Columbia-class submarine. Head of strategic submarines Todd Weeks told the West 2026 conference that the vessel was tracking for delivery in 2028 instead of 2029.<\/p>\n<p>The aforementioned Congressional Research Service report garnered attention in Australia for presenting an alternative option to AUKUS, whereby instead of selling submarines to Australia, the US Navy could operate up to eight of the vessels from Australian ports. However, that idea is not new, and has been part of the report in every update since June 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Caudle called AUKUS &ldquo;one of the most consequential defence partnerships of our lifetime&rdquo; when he addressed the Naval Submarine League in San Diego last week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"16.993788819876\">\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not just about boats. It&rsquo;s about shared deterrence, interoperability at the deepest levels, and a long-term commitment to peace through strength in the Indo-Pacific,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It also sends an unmistakable message &ndash; our undersea advantage is collective, united and formidable, and we intend to keep it that way.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><b><i>Get a note directly from our foreign <\/i><\/b><b><i>correspondents <\/i><\/b><b><i>on what&rsquo;s making headlines around the world. <\/i><\/b><b><i>Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter<\/i><\/b><b><i>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"article-footer\" class=\"sc-780f6c39-0 gMidPz\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-1 bXzMFW noPrint\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-2 fDvLNJ\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 cGFoDo sc-780f6c39-3 csnzsK\" readability=\"6.3137254901961\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 bYQiGM\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 bRyYMS\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 bBuibL\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 BgjOX sc-d1b14060-3 bnLMbo\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 NcyxX\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-0 ckGUXQ\">\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-1 iROwGF\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Michael Koziol\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_80%2Ch_80%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262 2x\" width=\"40\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 cJPmxL\"><span data-testid=\"author-bio\" class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-3 iaHQXJ\"><span>Michael Koziol is the North America correspondent for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former Sydney editor, Sun-Herald deputy editor and a federal political reporter in Canberra.<\/span><span class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-4 jVqFia\">Connect via X<span> or <\/span>email.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-3dbe4134-0 eKUqbd sc-df8e6ee0-0 noPrint\" data-an-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-group=\"everything\" data-an-cu-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-position=\"4\" data-testid=\"from-our-partners-strap\">\n<header class=\"sc-84567ec1-0 ea-dUAB\">\n<h2 data-pb-type=\"hi\" class=\"sc-84567ec1-1 qhIfr\"><span>From our partners<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"sc-df8e6ee0-1 dKvVOU\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hgOejj adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-2 aNDAi\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hgOejj adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-3 gRrJfI\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><sub>Looming shift in US Navy strategy bodes well for Australia&rsquo;s subs<\/sub><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advertisement February 16, 2026 &mdash; 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it News :&lt;div&gt;12 weeks&#8217; jail for school IT support technician who took&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/looming-shift-in-us-navy-strategy-bodes-well-for-australias-subs\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;Looming shift in US Navy strategy bodes well for Australia\u2019s subs&rdquo;<\/span> &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15745,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15744","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15744","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15744"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15744\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15745"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15744"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15744"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}