Jim and Ray welcome U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney, who represents Connecticut’s 2nd District, home to the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard in Groton.

Rep. Courtney addresses concerns raised by some of our previous guests–most notably former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull–about whether U.S. Virginia-class submarine construction can support Australia’s requirements under the Australia-U.K.-U.S. (AUKUS) agreement.

Representative Courtney emphasizes that even in America’s polarized political climate, AUKUS retains bipartisan support, and that keeping up with its nuclear-powered submarine production goals is essential for both U.S. and Australian national security.

Even so, supply chain and workforce development challenges continue to threaten the program, and America’s defense industrial base will need even more attention to make sure the U.S. and its allies can keep pace with the rapidly growing military threat posed by China.

Our podcast is produced by IEJ Media, sharing news that matters on statecraft & instruments of national power.

Sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.