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US intelligence analyst and military content creator Ryan McBeth has urged Australia to shop around for its submarine purchases, following the recent Ukraine–US Oval Office argument.
The comments follow a televised heated argument between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump and US Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office last week.
Zelenskyy had travelled to Washington to sign a minerals deal as the US administration pushes for a swift conclusion to hostilities between Ukraine and Russia.
McBeth, a software architect and former US anti-armour and heavy weapons infantryman, discussed the possibility of India and Australia perceiving instability in the US Administration and thus, uncertainty of military agreement fulfilment.
“This (argument could put) many weapons programs in danger such as our sale of the F35 (aircraft) to India,” he said.
“You know the world will be a better safer place if India has American weapons systems and with India operating the F-35. But why (would they) buy the F35 from America if just saying the wrong thing to the president could get him to cut off your supply of parts.
“I think that’s the real takeaway from this interaction ... If I were Australia who just agreed to buy three Virginia Class submarines from the US instead of buying some of France’s submarines.
“I would seriously start taking a look at France’s submarines.
“(US submarines) are quieter but ... I wouldn’t want to risk a major defence platform on the whims of a man (Trump) who was looking for what he called ’good television’.”
The United States intends to sell three Virginia Class SSNs nuclear-powered submarines to Australia from as soon as the early 2030s, which was authorised by the US Congress in December 2023. Australia retains the option to seek approval for up to two more if needed.
Earlier this year, US President Trump confirmed that the US would increase military sales to India this year and would provide fifth-generation Lockheed Martin-manufactured F-35 fighters to the BRICS-aligned country.
