Rep. Courtney: Annual Defense Bill Advances AUKUS Trilateral Security Agreement
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement upon the completion and release of the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by the House and Senate Conference Committee. The bill includes authorization for the transfer of Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, the training of Australian private sector defense personnel, the integration of Australian financial contributions to the U.S. defense industrial base, and the sharing of technology and information between the three nations to safely streamline security cooperation. The bill also includes a provision for the Navy to enter into a contract for up to 13 Virginia-class submarines in the next contract.
“After weeks of negotiations within the NDAA Conference Committee and over a year of advocacy from Canberra to Washington, the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act reported out today advances the AUKUS trilateral security agreement. For the first time since the launch of the USS Nautilus in 1958, this NDAA authorizes the US Navy to sell three conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines to another nation—our steadfast ally Australia. In addition, it streamlines technology sharing among the three AUKUS allies under the umbrella of the Defense Production Act to strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. Lastly, it includes authority for the Navy to purchase up to 13 Virginia-class submarines in the next block contract which will guarantee a steady demand to boost production capacity and thus meet our fleet requirements.
“I thank leaders of the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees, as well as Australian Ambassador Kevin Rudd and UK Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce, for their advocacy and unwavering support of my efforts to see these provisions included in the final FY24 NDAA.
“I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this bill on the House floor and sending it to the President’s desk for the 63rd consecutive year. At a time when division and partisanship continue to be the prevailing narratives around Congress, the National Defense Authorization Act proves that we can work together to ensure our national security and support our allies.”
Text of the conference report can be found here.