; and (B) also support the United States defense industrial base and defense procurements. 3. Authorization of sale of Virginia Class submarines to Australia (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President is authorized to transfer up to two Virginia Class submarines from the inventory of the Department of the Navy to the Government of Australia on a sale basis, during the 15-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, to implement the AUKUS partnership. (b) Costs of transfers Any expense incurred by the United States in connection with a transfer of a vessel authorized under subsection (a) shall be charged to the recipient notwithstanding section 516(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2321j(e) ). (c) Repair and refurbishment (1) In general To the maximum extent practicable, the President shall require, as a condition of a transfer of a vessel authorized under subsection (a), that the recipient to which the vessel is transferred have such repair or refurbishment of the vessel as is needed, before the vessel joins the naval forces of that recipient, performed at a shipyard located in the United States. (2) Personnel Repair or refurbishment described in paragraph (1) may be carried out by personnel of the United States, the United Kingdom, or Australia in accordance with the international arrangements governing submarine security activities under the AUKUS partnership. (d) Certification (1) In general Not less than 270 days prior to the transfer of a vessel authorized under subsection (a), the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees and leadership a certification that— (A) the transfer of such vessels— (i) will not impact United States undersea operational requirements; (ii) is consistent with United States foreign policy and national security interests; and (iii) is in furtherance of the AUKUS partnership