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Aukus review puts spotlight on dramatic decline of US arms manufacturing
America’s difficulties in producing subs and armaments arose in part from Reagan-era decisions.
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The Virginia-class submarine USS Minnesota, seen off the coast of Western Australia on March 16. America’s navy is shrinking because the number of old ships retiring exceeds the number of newly commissioned ships.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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The US government’s decision last month to review the Aukus agreement has shaken the British and Australian governments – while also energising Australian opponents of the deal, who see this as an opportunity for Canberra to back out.
Under the agreement, the US would provide Australia with three to five Virginia-class attack submarines while the three countries jointly develop a new Australian submarine for the 2040s.
