A former Australian defence minister has initiated a parliamentary inquiry into the Aukus submarine programme, raising fresh questions over the multibillion-dollar deal with Britain and the United States. The move threatens to destabilise the landmark security pact, which has already faced delays and cost overruns.
Christopher Pyne, who served as defence minister under the conservative Turnbull government, announced the inquiry late Monday. The probe, backed by the opposition Labor party, will examine the schedule, budget, and industrial benefits of the programme. It is the first formal parliamentary challenge to the Aukus agreement since it was struck in 2021.
The Aukus deal, touted by London and Washington as the cornerstone of Indo-Pacific security, commits Australia to acquiring a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. Under the current plan, Britain will provide the design, based on its Astute-class boats, with construction to take place in Adelaide. The total cost is estimated at A$368bn (£190bn) over 30 years.
Critics argue that the programme has been mismanaged. Delays have already pushed back the first delivery from the early 2030s to the late 2030s. Labour shortages and supply chain disruptions have compounded the problems. The Australian National Audit Office warned in a recent report that the project lacked clear cost controls.
Pyne, who now sits on the board of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the inquiry was necessary to ensure “value for money”. He cited concerns that the British design might not meet Australian requirements. “This is the largest peacetime defence project in our history. It cannot be allowed to drift,” he told reporters in Canberra.
The British government has sought to portray the inquiry as a routine parliamentary procedure. Downing Street said it remained “confident” in the partnership. A spokesman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stressed that the submarine deal was “on track” and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to the Aukus framework.
However, diplomatic sources in London expressed unease. The inquiry could lead to a renegotiation of the terms or even a shift toward an American design. That would be a significant blow to British influence in the region. Britain sees the submarine programme as a crucial element of its “tilt to the Indo-Pacific” strategy, announced after Brexit.
The United States has remained publicly supportive but is watching developments closely. American officials have stressed the importance of interoperability among the three navies. Any change in design could complicate joint operations and increase costs.
The inquiry will begin hearings in August. It is expected to issue its findings by the end of the year. If it recommends major changes, the political fallout could be substantial. The Australian government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has so far defended the deal, but the inquiry puts pressure on him to justify the spending.
For Britain, the stakes are high. The submarine contract is a rare export success for the UK defence industry. A disruption would damage the credibility of British arms sales and diminish the country’s standing as a security partner. The Foreign Office has already begun quiet lobbying among Australian lawmakers to contain the damage.
The inquiry represents the most serious challenge to Aukus since its inception. Whether it results in a full-scale review or a minor adjustment, it underscores the fragility of even the most ambitious alliances. The region’s strategic competitors, including China, will be watching closely for any sign of disunity.
