Latest news with #PillarI
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
China to kill AUKUS without firing a bullet? Trump's ‘America First' stand behind review of nuclear submarine deal with Australia
President Donald Trump has launched a Pentagon-led review of the 2021 AUKUS pact, which brings together Australia , the United Kingdom, and the United States in a multi-decade effort to counterbalance China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. This deal was signed under the Biden Administration , a commitment to give its allies the missing military edge in the form of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. This review marks the first serious reappraisal of the deal since its 2021 announcement and is being undertaken to find the perfect strategy to tackle China's military posturing in the Pacific and South China Sea. Also Read: Trump's US losing its tourist destination sheen, Australia joins growing list of friendly nations dropping America from travel itineraries by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dad-Approved Ways to Celebrate Father's Day in Costa Mesa - Travel Costa Mesa Travel Costa Mesa Read More Undo Officials say the review is to ensure the project aligns with Trump's 'America First' agenda and addresses concerns over resource limits in the US Navy . With the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) modernising rapidly and operating multiple nuclear submarines as well as aircraft carriers, the US forces are getting stretched. Live Events A defense official confirmed that the review will examine America's readiness, allied contributions, and the US industrial base. Why is Trump having second thoughts? Trump's team, led by Undersecretary Elbridge Colby, has questioned the submarine component, known as Pillar I, while supporting broader cooperation in intelligence and advanced technologies. Colby warned that US nuclear submarine capacity may not be sufficient to both supply Australia and meet American needs in a hypothetical conflict on other fronts, such as around Taiwan. This review is normal for a new administration (Trump) to evaluate key defense agreements. Canberra has already committed around A$4 billion toward US production and $500 million upfront. But the review stresses that the US must hit production targets, about 2.33 submarines per year, before transferring vessels. The Australian Government forecast suggests that this submarine program could cost a staggering US$235 billion over 30 years. Trump's approach also uses AUKUS to pressure Australia to increase defence spending significantly, from 2% of GDP to roughly 3.5%. Australia's Deputy PM Richard Marles said that AUKUS will stay on track. He called the review 'natural and understandable,' given the change in US leadership. He stressed that Australia has a 'plan' and 'is sticking to it.' The Chinese reaction China maintained its opposition to the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal as the Trump Administration reviewed it to align with its " America First " agenda. Beijing had earlier labeled the deal as driven by 'Cold War thinking' and accused the US, UK, and Australia of embarking on a 'path of error and danger.' Also Read: Trump threatens broader troop deployment if ICE protests and riots spread After the news that the US is reviewing AUKUS, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a briefing on Thursday, June 12, 'China has made clear more than once its position on the so-called trilateral security partnership between the U.S., U.K., and Australia, designed to advance cooperation on nuclear submarines and other cutting-edge military technologies." What is AUKUS and what was it meant to serve? The AUKUS pact, short for Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, is a strategic security partnership announced in 2021. Its purpose is to strengthen military capabilities among these three countries and deter threats in the Indo-Pacific region, especially amid China's growing influence. The deal, estimated to cost US$239 billion (or A$368 billion) over three decades, is structured around two main pillars. Pillar I: Nuclear Submarines Pillar I will focus on providing Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines, marking a big leap forward from its current fleet of diesel-electric vessels. Only five countries, the US, Russia, China, France, the UK, and India operate nuclear-powered submarines. Australia will build a nuclear submarine base that will be operational by 2027 just off Perth, for $1.7 billion. US and UK submarines will begin short-term rotational deployments to Western Australia by 2027. These deployments are meant to familiarise Australia with nuclear-powered technology and operations. From 2032, Australia will purchase at least three second-hand Virginia-class submarines from the US, with the option to buy two more if needed. The long-term vision is to create a new generation of nuclear-powered submarines, SSN-AUKUS. The UK and Australia will jointly design these submarines using British blueprints, but with integrated US technology. They will be constructed in both countries and serve both navies. With this part of the plan, the Australian government officials hope to strengthen deterrence, build Australia's domestic defence industry, and deepen military interoperability among the three nations. Pillar II: Advanced Capabilities and Intelligence Sharing This part includes collaboration on artificial intelligence, undersea robotics, long-range hypersonic missiles, quantum technologies, cyber operations, and electronic warfare systems. The arrangement expands on decades of deep intelligence sharing between the US and UK, now extended to Australia. It is designed to give the allies an edge in emerging technologies that are crucial for modern warfare. Together, both pillars of AUKUS aim to reshape the Indo-Pacific security landscape and establish a long-term technological and strategic alignment framework between the three partner countries. What lies ahead for Australia? The Pentagon review is expected to wrap up within 30 days; however, no timeline is given. Its outcome could reshape AUKUS or prompt negotiations over defence spending and industrial commitments. Australia may also consider a fall-back plan if the submarine deal is delayed or altered, though Marles has ruled out mid-course changes. London reiterates AUKUS's strategic value but supports revisiting its terms. For Australia, the review brings uncertainty over its biggest defence project. AUKUS's future role in Indo-Pacific security could be in doubt if the review leads to cancellation or delay.
Agriland
29-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Heydon committed to 2-pillar CAP but has no ‘crystal ball'
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has reaffirmed his commitment to the traditional two-pillar structure of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), but has said he has no 'crystal ball'. The minister was speaking at his first appearance as a senior minister in front of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. A range of topics came up, with CAP, and its future post-2027, being one of the main issued raised by TDs and senators on the committee. The European Commission is understood to be planning a radical overhaul of the EU's long-term budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), in which the funding to member states would be consolidated into a single funding pot, with member states then developing a plan to outline how they would use that funding. This has sparked concern that the two-pillar structure of CAP, and even a dedicated budget for the entire CAP, could be scrapped in favour of a single member state fund. The minister was quizzed on this by Roscommon-Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice, who asked: 'The overall budget in CAP, is it going to be bigger, yes or no? Is Ireland's budget going to be bigger to accommodate it if we're going to be tweaking around on it? Are we going to have Pillar I and Pillar II, is it going to be the same system?' In answer to Fitzmaurice, the minister said: 'Apologies deputy, I left my crystal ball at home, so I don't have that, and we'd all love to know those answers. 'What I can tell you is we'll know in the middle of July. Around July 16 is when these [plans] are going to be announced, and all I can tell you is we are doing everything in our power. 'I can't be clearer – we want to maintain the [CAP] fund, we want to maintain Pillar I and II, we want a fully funded CAP,' he added. 'Will we get that?… We know all the other demands there are on other sides.' Fitzmaurice then asked if, in a situation where the CAP in its traditional form was not forthcoming, the government would be prepared to step in and 'prop it up'. Minister Heydon said: 'We could end up with so many different scenarios here… If what was leaked out in terms of a single fund was to come about…I would make the point that it would be a very bad thing. That would mean renationalisation of our system. It would actually undermine the whole [EU] single market. 'I'm not going to get into predicting what might come of what outcome, because there's so many different outcomes there can be here. 'What I can tell you right now is we are making every effort across government to put our best foot forward to maintain a fully funded cap with the traditional structure that has served our sector so well,' he added. The minister also noted that, in the second half of 2026, when the CAP budget is likely to be finalised, Ireland will hold the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, one of the legislative bodies of the EU, meaning Minister Heydon, if he is still in office, will be the chairperson of the council of agriculture ministers during that period. He said: 'The first element of this is actually the MFF. What happens with the overall budget will totally determine what happens with CAP. 'In terms of the role we play in the agriculture council… What we do have is, in the second half of 2026, I'll be the chair of the council of ministers and, as we're working through that, we'll be working on the basis of consensus. 'I'm meeting with every other minister bilaterally to understand their priorities and so they understand our priorities… Hopefully before the end of 2026 under the Irish presidency, I;ll be in a position to get that CAP over the line by means of consensus.
