AUKUS Undersea Defense Act

12/15/2023, 3:59 PM
Congress
118
Number
HR - 3939
Introduced on
2023-06-09
# Amendments
0
Sponsors
+5
Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

6/9/2023
Text
PDF
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Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

AUKUS Undersea Defense Act

This bill authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to sell Australia up to two Virginia-class attack submarines under the Australia-United Kingdom-United States security partnership agreement (AUKUS). The bill authorizes DOD to transfer the submarines from existing Navy inventories. The bill also

  • applies existing law to the transfer under this bill of special nuclear material related to submarine reactors,
  • authorizes the Navy to determine the appropriate shipyard in any of the AUKUS countries for repair of U.S. Navy submarines,
  • establishes a submarine security activities account to accept payments from Australia for non-nuclear related aspects of submarine security activities, and
  • authorizes the President to transfer defense services to Australia to develop the Australian submarine industrial base for AUKUS activities.
Bill 118 hr 3939, also known as the AUKUS Undersea Defense Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The bill aims to strengthen the defense capabilities of the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom through enhanced cooperation in undersea warfare.

The AUKUS Undersea Defense Act focuses on improving the coordination and interoperability of undersea defense systems among the three countries. This includes sharing technology, intelligence, and resources to better protect against emerging threats in the undersea domain.

The bill also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong presence in key strategic regions, such as the Indo-Pacific, where undersea warfare is becoming increasingly important. By working together, the US, Australia, and the UK can more effectively deter potential adversaries and ensure the security of critical maritime routes. Overall, the AUKUS Undersea Defense Act seeks to bolster the defense capabilities of the US, Australia, and the UK in the undersea domain, enhancing their ability to respond to evolving security challenges and maintain a strong presence in key strategic regions.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo provide for the transfer of not more than two Virginia class submarines from the inventory of the Navy to the Government of Australia on a sale basis under section 21 of the Arms Export Control Act, and for other purposes.
Policy Areas
International Affairs

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary11/8/2023

AUKUS Undersea Defense Act

This bill authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to sell Australia up to two Virginia-class attack submarin...

Latest Action6/9/2023
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the comm...