US Congress passes foreign military aid package with $5bn boost for Aukus agreement with Australia

Defence minister Richard Marles welcomes confirmation of congressional funding that ensures US can produce Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines for Australia

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A United States funding package authorising more military aid for Ukraine and Israel passed by Congress on Tuesday includes a A$5bn boost for the US domestic submarine-building industry that will directly enable the Aukus agreement.

The funding was a condition of congressional endorsement of the Aukus deal and is aimed at ensuring the US can produce Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines for Australia without undermining its own capability requirements.

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