One reason is to maintain public support for the alliance by preventing any shortfalls of the deal from being made known, analysts say
The decision to keep details of a recent US review into the
Aukus defence pact under wraps is seen as a deliberate move to shield the three-nation submarine deal from any doubts over its viability that could undermine political or public backing, analysts say.
The Pentagon announced last Thursday it had completed its assessment of the programme and identified ways to place it on the “strongest possible footing”, citing US President Donald Trump’s push to drive the arrangement “full steam ahead”.
Set up in 2021, Aukus is a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK and the US to share advanced defence technology.
Washington launched a formal review in June to ensure the pact aligns with Trump’s “America First” agenda and to address concerns that supplying Canberra with nuclear-powered submarines could strain America’s own requirements.
Although the Pentagon said the review was complete, its recommendations have not been released and may never be made public, according to Australian media.
At a meeting in Washington last Wednesday, Australian and US defence and foreign ministers reaffirmed in a joint statement their shared commitment to Aukus.