nuclear-news

US doubtful it could help Korea on nuclear-powered subs

Korea Times 3 June 24

The United States is unlikely to help Korea build nuclear-powered submarines at the moment, as it is stretched by AUKUS commitments to Australia, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at the Shangri-La security dialogue in Singapore.

In 2021 the United States signed the AUKUS pact with Britain and Australia to share nuclear-powered submarine technology and to sell at least three Virginia-class boats to Australia in the 2030s.

Several other allies, including Korea, have expressed interest in involvement.

Asked on Saturday at the security summit how he would respond to a direct Korean request for help obtaining nuclear submarines, Austin said it would be “very, very difficult” for Washington to accommodate that “on top of what we do right now.”

“(AUKUS) is no small endeavour,” he said. “We just started down this path with Australia. (It’s) highly doubtful that we could take on another initiative of this type anytime in the near future.”……………………..  https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/06/113_375778.html

June 4, 2024 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics international, South Korea, USA, weapons and war