Key Takeaways
- House committee chairs urge Biden administration to reduce restrictions on defense technology exports to Australia and the UK.
- The International Traffic in Arms Regulations hinder timely access to crucial military technology for allies under the AUKUS agreement.
- Upcoming changes to defense export rules are anticipated to facilitate faster collaboration among the AUKUS partners.
Efforts to Enhance AUKUS Defense Collaboration
The chairs of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees advocate for increased sharing of defense technologies with Australia and the United Kingdom, key partners in the AUKUS agreement. In a letter to the Biden administration, Republican Reps. Mike Rogers (Armed Services) and Mike McCaul (Foreign Affairs) expressed concerns over the lengthy “excluded technologies list” that limits U.S. exports to these countries. They argue that these restrictions undermine the U.S. potential to counter China effectively and urged for a review to eliminate unnecessary inclusions.
Under the AUKUS pact, the U.S. is assisting Australia in developing nuclear-powered submarines, a sensitive system previously exclusive to the UK. The collaboration also involves advancements in technologies such as hypersonic missiles and quantum computing. One of the main impediments to this cooperation lies with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which govern the export of military technology.
Recent updates have allowed Australia and the UK to access 80% of U.S. defense exports without needing a prior license. However, concerns remain regarding the remaining 20%, where license application processes can be protracted. U.S. State Department vetting can exceed a month, often requiring extensive prior preparation. During a congressional testimony, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell emphasized the need for increased technology sharing among AUKUS partners, acknowledging further efforts are necessary.
Current revisions of the State Department’s rules remain under review, with public comment accepted until mid-November. Campbell has pledged to facilitate this process. The significance of the excluded technologies list varies by measurement, being approximately 20% in monetary value but potentially as much as 30% by the quantity of licenses. This list comprises items restricted by law or by U.S. policy, including precision missiles, which are particularly sought after by British and Australian officials.
The Australian government has been increasingly vocal in pushing for regulatory loosening, especially regarding critical technologies like precision weapons, undersea drones, and maritime acoustic systems. Although the Australian embassy has yet to confirm specific interests, it has expressed appreciation for bipartisan congressional support in dismantling export barriers.
A British official noted the importance of optimizing the exemptions to enhance collaborative efforts among AUKUS partners. Last week, top defense officials from the U.S., UK, and Australia convened in London to celebrate the third anniversary of AUKUS, unveiling winners of a challenge aimed at accelerating advanced technological cooperation.
In summary, the upcoming announcement of the final AUKUS export regulations in November is expected to usher in substantial changes aimed at bolstering defense collaboration and overcoming existing barriers related to technology sharing among the partners.
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