The Pentagon has initiated an official review of the AUKUS defense pact, a landmark agreement signed in 2021 by the Biden administration with Australia and the United Kingdom to develop nuclear-powered submarines.

The AUKUS agreement, valued at approximately $239 billion, represents a significant commitment to enhancing Australia’s naval capabilities through the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines. The pact, which also includes cooperation on advanced technologies such as hypersonic weapons, was established to strengthen collective defense in the Indo-Pacific region.

“The Department is reviewing AUKUS to ensure this initiative from the previous administration aligns with the President’s ‘America First’ agenda,” a Pentagon spokesperson stated.