美国国防部副部长埃尔布里奇·科尔比在亚太新闻发布会上表示，AUKUS核潜艇交易正在"全力推进"，与特朗普政府的立场保持一致[1]。科尔比在发言中指出，"我们非常高兴地说，AUKUS——正如总统所说——全力推进"[1]。作为国防部第三高级别官员的科尔比曾对该协议持怀疑态度，但其评估报告经重写后已与政府立场对齐[1]。
根据计划，美国将于2032年向澳大利亚交付首艘弗吉尼亚级潜艇[1]。然而，实现这一目标面临产能挑战。美国目前以每年1.1至1.2艘的速度制造弗吉尼亚级潜艇，需将产量提升至每年2.33艘才能同时满足自身需求并向澳大利亚供应[1]。前澳大利亚总理马尔科姆·特恩布尔曾向调查委员会表示，该协议"显然疯狂"，并警告美国自身的立法可能导致澳大利亚最终无法获得任何潜艇[1]。
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby has declared that the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement is proceeding with full momentum, aligning with the Trump administration's position [1]. Colby, the third-highest-ranking official at the Pentagon, made the statement at an Indo-Pacific press briefing, noting that "we are very pleased to say that AUKUS—as the president has said—is full steam ahead" [1].
The development marks a significant shift for Colby, who previously harbored skepticism toward the AUKUS arrangement [1]. Under the agreement, the United States plans to deliver its first Virginia-class submarine to Australia by 2032 [1]. However, the initiative faces substantial production challenges. The U.S. currently manufactures Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 1.1 to 1.2 vessels annually, yet must increase production to 2.33 submarines per year to simultaneously meet domestic demand while supplying Australia [1]. Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has cast doubt on the arrangement's feasibility, telling an inquiry committee that the deal is "patently mad" and warning that U.S. domestic legislation could ultimately prevent Australia from receiving any submarines at all [1].