AUKUS Alliance Resilient Amid Political Turbulence: Insights from Scott Lucas
In the face of an “unpredictable” U.S. presidency, the trilateral alliance between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia—known as AUKUS—continues to forge ahead with a groundbreaking partnership in defense technology. Despite political tensions and biting rhetoric from the highest echelons of U.S. leadership, the commitment to mutual security and cooperation remains steadfast, particularly in the development of unmanned undersea vehicles.
Scott Lucas, a Professor of International Politics at University College Dublin, recently shared his insights on Times Radio regarding the current state of the AUKUS pact. He emphasized that the alliance’s foundations are resilient, with all three nations maintaining a focus on collaboration despite the challenges posed by complex international dynamics.
Lucas pointed out that while the political atmosphere is fraught, particularly with remarks exchanged between leaders, the technological ambitions of the AUKUS partnership are not faltering. The ongoing joint efforts to develop sophisticated unmanned systems highlight a shared vision for future defense strategies that extend beyond national borders.
This commitment to innovation and defense unity underscores a crucial aspect of international relations: the importance of continuity in alliances, even when individual leaders may introduce unpredictability to the equation. The AUKUS project serves as a testament to the enduring strength of the U.S.-UK-Australia relationship, showcasing how shared interests in defense and security can transcend political disagreements.
As the world watches the geopolitical landscape evolve, the AUKUS alliance stands as a beacon of collaborative resilience, pivoting towards a more advanced and secure future while navigating the complexities of leadership and international relations.
Watch the video by Times News
Video “New Aukus Project Proves US-UK And Australia Defence Ties Remain 'Solid' | Scott Lucas” was uploaded on 05/30/2026 to Youtube Channel Times News

































The yanks and poms just want our Aussie drone shark technology while giving us nothing but empty promises in return for non existent submarines. Treating us like the subservient colonials as usual.
Another very bad deal for Australia once again.
Australia made a mistake getting involved in AUKUS. We need to bin USA, they are a lost cause and WILL not be available to defend anyone, they cannot defend themselves against Iran. China has never threatened world peace like USA has. Accountability will come to all Australian politicians that continues to support this bullshite.
as I was told " dumb ozzies" exhange gold for rusting old ships that are a liability for future Australian generations… USA selling dumb ozzies their junk for a premium price.
It's a mistake, the UK does not need the US to develop these wepeons…
Your expert is full of baloney. AUKUS is not a cold war pact. It was only formed in 2021.
Second Hand subs 😂😂😂😂 time to Dump these Trummys before it's Trump these Dummys
We the US don't want the UK
Trump's war is currently causing inflation & shortages ruining WW economy…
Trump's USA now hated by 5 continents (including 2/3 USA) ! 🙁
Thank you America and our Aussie mates for keeping faith in Britain, despite our current dishonest and shameful government.
CANZUK is a better deal for us than AUKUS cos if someone tried to invade us, the US will not come and help unless they get something in return. Plus Canada, UK, NZ and Australia have way better trained military than the US. Time tor Albo to cut ties with the US, and stop beginning a chicken.
Australia has already developed the Ghost Shark – a large, long range underwater drone. Look it up. Perhaps this is more about funding and production of it and other systems.
As an Australian l believe that we should cancel AUKUS. We can't trust America.
Only the wildlife is aggressive here in Australia not us citizens….
Scrap the AUKUS deal , how old are they, what needs to be done to the reactors, I'm sure we will be getting CRAP, scrap ready subs.
Australia would love to cancel this. But the deal negotiated by the last government means we’ll lose $billions if we pull out. We are stuck.
Now the US became unreliable as it has shown towards Ukraine and maybe the defence of Taiwan is also another undecided according to Trump's speech in China visit recently.
This is the last throw of the dice from Britain to hold on to the so called special relationship,it won't work America is going down the toilet economically and this will destroy this deal Britain doesn't need American tech now it's to expensive and comes with to many issues ie trump and hegseth being morons and will stab you in the back the moment you turn your back ,Britain should stick with Australia and Europe
the ABC is reporting that this change has been made due to problems in US ship building. We swapped French subs for the promise of some magic beans.
Sorry, I enjoy Scott a lot but this time he needs to get his facts correct…. Aukus has only been around since 2021, not decades…He's confusing ANZUS treaty which does not say anything about developing new technologies
Poor globalist Scott and his obsessive TDS. Boring + predictable. Scott talks about European military's yet omits 45-47 finally 'made' Europe pay, increase their defence spending > 2/3% to GDP.
Scott is your garden variety europhile globalist – never mentions right now the UK/European nations are being 'Islamified'. God this clown is predictable + the host agreed with EVERY thing this w#nker spewed. 'Carry on crankshaft clowns'.
neither USA nor Australia formally recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state, adhering to a "One China" policy. Under this policy, Canberra officially recognises the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legitimate government of China and does not regard Taiwanese authorities as having the status of a national government
AUKUS has two military technology pillars: 1. Nuclear powered submarine development for Australia 2. Other military technologies of interest to each.
Why would they accept Hegseth anywhere?
In the UK and most other countries no-one salutes unless they are in uniform. The sight of Trump, Hogsbreath etc, pretending that they are brave warriors saluting the flag is hilarious.
Yep, we are sticking to the USA like a barnacle to a sinking ship.
So we have a combination of Australia that stabbed France in the back, the unreliable, opportunistic UK, and the world largest terrorist state USA in one pack.
University College DUBLIN not London.
What is it with these Times reporters hiding behind behind huge microphones, laptops, or sitting in gloomy light? Some of the shorter ones are virtually disembodied voices.
more rubbish
Solid as a marshmallow.
Yup
That's why Australia signed defense deal with the EU 🎉
There is now a public inquiry into Aukus headed by a former Labor minister, Peter Garrett. Aukus is despised by most Australians because it will cost 20% of our GDP. Aukus was set up to tie Australia into the US military industrial complex, and to help preserve US hegemony against a rising China. I have lived through 70 years of this yellow perils, downward thrust rhetoric, and only believed it as a child in the 1950s. Aukus was partly designed to amplify that concern, odd from Australia's perspective because China is Australia's largest trading partner. I personally think the less Australia has to do with America the safer we will be.
The worst deal Australia ever signed, here we call it USUKA because we are the suckers.
This is a skewed take on the truth. Australia has honoured the AUKUS agreement but has also signed new pacts with the EU ,Canada, Sth Korea and Japan.
Aus is also developing its own weapons and also gettung subs, missiles and naval vessels from European allies. Australia is diversifying and keeping options open.
The U.S. needs to be erased from existence. Australia needs to be careful they don’t become as despised as the UK is becoming for their U.S. a$$ kissing.
1:20 AUKUS is not decades old. It was announced in about late 2021 from memory. It was a pact between Biden, Morrison and whoever the UK PM was (Sunak maybe?). Biden had forgotten the name of the Australian PM and referred to him as "the guy from Down Under". But its ok, because most Australians want to forget him too.
Let's get the dates correct. Plus add a few more in. Australia is broadening it's defence alliances.
ANZUS ( Australia, New Zealand, US) Defence Treaty 1951.
Five Eyes Intelligence Sharing ( Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK, US) 1957
The current Quad ( Australia, Japan, India, and US) 2017.
AUKUS ( Australia, UK, US) defence cooperation agreement 2021.
Australia Indonesia Common Security Treaty Feb 2026
Australia EU Security and Defence Partnership March 2026
Changes to pillars 1 and 2 of AUKUS May 2026
Why are you using "Secretary of War" as Hegseth's title? Gives you as much credibility as him.
No We cannot trust US under Ztrump/Hegseth/Rubio OR ZVance. All their records show each one is anti old allies, anti West, each appears to admire Putin and regime. Trump’s negotiators only seek to benefit zrusdia- fof selves? Are their pacts in force and agreed with zRussia already between Trump and Putin? What precisely went on in Greenland? What chunk of Ukraine was given away by Trump/Witkoff/Kushner? None of us knows.
The major enemy we all have now is the US. The rest of us need to come together and ignore the ignorant orange lunatic. Time to stop pretending the US is an ally.
Worth noting that the Orange POS walked away from China with a pat on the head, big parade, some tacky souvenirs and NO trade deals. His best mate Vlad went 4 days later and waled away with TWENTY dela. Geez the orange lunatic sure is a really good negotiator. We could hear Xi and Putin laughing all the way from Australia! BTW get a new "expert".
Australia is spending $300B+ for nuclear submarines at least one of them was to be new, now the US are offering only secondhand ones. What other parts of this deal will the US change. The US has proven themselves to be an unreliable partner, this deal needs to be cancelled now. AUKUS should be remaned to reflect America's comtempt for Australia – United States, United Kingdom & Australia pact, USUKA for short.
US goverment has abused all partnerships in Nato it cant be trusted
NATO was designed for the Cold War—to protect a weak, war-torn Europe from the Soviet Union. That threat ended in 1991. Today, it's an outdated alliance where the US still subsidizes the defense of rich European nations.
Core Problems:
Chronic Free-Riding: The US accounts for ~60%+ of NATO's total defense spending. Europe has the GDP and population to defend itself, but has long chosen generous welfare over military investment.
Wrong Priorities: America needs to focus on China, the real peer rival in the Pacific. Keeping troops and resources tied down in Europe wastes money and readiness for higher-priority threats.
One-Way Entanglement: The US is obligated to defend Europe under Article 5, but Europe offers limited help for America's core interests. It reduces US flexibility in a dangerous world.
Europe Can Stand Up: Combined European economies dwarf Russia's. Ending the US security blanket would finally force them to build real militaries instead of relying on American taxpayers.
Bottom line: Withdrawal ends the subsidy, restores America's strategic focus, saves resources, and creates a healthier transatlantic relationship where Europe takes adult responsibility for its own defense. It's not isolationism—it's realism and "America First." The Cold War is over. So should NATO's blank check. President Trump cut funding to NATO and canceled the USA commitment TODAY!!
lol this is just masochism and from UK and from Australia
AUSTRALIA DOESNT EANT THIS DEAL
We not paying for you bludgers
Pump up the Australian production of Ghost Shark (GS) and Spear Tooth (ST) Drone subs and load them up with the latest Smart torpedo's ready for Asymmetric sea warfare designed to protect Australia. A quick technical software upgrade of the remaining Collins class Manned Subs so they can co-ordinate and control Large swarms of GS and ST drones and you have sealed your Naval defense gap. Created by 2027 ready for the Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Q.E.D.
10 year old nuclear subs are better than none ??? , but consider when the Yanks will provide them. Probably to late. So the stop gap is to invite via AUKUS the partners that already have nuclear subs to station more here in Australia straight away. The UK military will not run away from a fight, but based on the Yank/US actions amongst the Gulf States, they will probably run away. Please consider the AUKUS deal benefits those that do not have the latest Drone Subs, SPARTAN MACH12 missiles and secret radar technology, that Australia has. So apply the leverage and pursue the art of the deal in our favor. Long live the "Commonwealth Alliance!"
Australia would love to buy from their closest allies the UK and USA , but there naval yards are simply under performing. Maybe ASC Adelaide can start straight away building the new AUKUS submarine to help the UK Naval aims or at least lease a few Drone subs to guard their underwater cable links. A Quicker design process of the AUKUS sub is required. I recommend a Thorium reactor core design co-operation because they are safer and can be turned off or down to increase stealth capability and extended life of the submarine patrol life.
Aukus, 2021,Cold War?