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Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nA multi-billion dollar submarine deal between long-standing allies – Australia, the UK and the US – has come under the spotlight after the Trump administration said it was reviewing how the deal fits in with its heavily-touted “America First” agenda<\/a>. <\/p>\n The Aukus security pact, Australia’s biggest ever defence project, is set to play a key part in the country’s ability to replace its ageing Collins-class submarine fleet – and, crucially, its military standing in the region. <\/p>\n The 30-day review will be led by Elbridge Colby, who has previously been critical of Aukus. In a speech last year, he questioned why the US would give away “this crown jewel asset when we most need it”. <\/p>\n A US defence spokesperson said the review is about ensuring “this initiative of the previous administration is aligned with the President’s America First agenda”.<\/p>\n Fears the review may torpedo the deal have been downplayed by the UK and Australia, with both saying the review is a normal process when a new government takes power. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Billed as a trilateral security partnership, the Aukus deal – worth \u00a3176bn ($239bn; A$368bn) over 30 years – involves two so-called pillars. <\/p>\n Pillar 1<\/b> is about the supply and delivery of nuclear-powered attack submarines. <\/p>\n Australia will buy three second-hand Virginia-class submarines from the US from 2032 with options to purchase two more.<\/p>\n After that, the plan is to design and build an entirely new nuclear-powered submarine model for the UK and Australian navies.<\/p>\n This attack craft will be built in Britain and Australia to a British design, but use technology from all three countries.<\/p>\n Pillar 2<\/b> is about the allies collaborating on their “advanced capabilities”. This involves sharing military expertise in areas such as long-range hypersonic missiles, undersea robotics and AI. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n At its core, the deal is believed to be about countering China’s growing presence in the Indo-Pacific region, and its role in rising tensions in disputed territories such as the South China Sea.<\/p>\n While none of the allies have directly pointed at China as a reason for the deal, the three countries have spoken about how regional security concerns have “grown significantly” in recent years.<\/p>\nWhat is Aukus?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What’s the purpose of the deal?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n