Australia’s government on Friday rolled out the red carpets for signs that a U.S. defense spending bill which would authorise the sale of nuclear submarines to Australia is set to pass Congress after a compromise between Republicans and Democrats. The sale is a prominent slice of AUKUS – a pact with the United States and Britain to develop nuclear-powered submarines and other high technology weapons and Australia’s extremely expensive defence project with a $244 billion price tag over three decades.
The Australian government is “joyful with high hopes” Defence Minister Richard Marles told reporters in Victoria state on Friday, adding that the first U.S. submarine is anticipated to be sold to Australia in the next decade. “It’s for sure a matter for the U.S. Congress, but we are hopeful of an optimistic consequence. And if we achieve that optimistic result, what’s in prospect is a once in a generation change,” he said.