Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Caudle Fully Supports AUKUS

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, asked Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle (USN) about his support for the AUKUS security agreement.

"Do you agree with the findings of the AUKUS review last December that endorsed continuing our commitment to that security agreement, as well as Admiral Paparo's testimony?" Courtney asked.

"I wholeheartedly agree with it. I was part of it. I was in bed creating it. I made a lot of the recommendations in it that were actually adopted and fully support AUKUS Pillar I, fully support Sam Paparo's statement. And I look forward to standing up submarine squadron three later this year and making sure that submarine rotational force west becomes alive and getting the first Virginia-class transfer to Australia next year as we continue to build out where they eventually buy a U.S. submarines. So fully support, sir," Caudle said.

"What we've done, and I think in the very thoughtful way, is, for once in a lifetime, shared technology with a close partner, Australia, to give them a no kidding submarine force that will add an entirely new dimension to the threats we face in the Indo-Pacific," Caudle continued. "That, under the submarine squadron, and the way we will command and control that working with the Australian Navy, who are great partners and have been for decades, will give Admiral Paparo access to those submarines as well."

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