1. Short title This Act may be cited as the AUKUS Undersea Defense Act . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The new trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (in this section referred to as the AUKUS partnership ) is intended to positively contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through enhanced deterrence. (2) This trilateral security partnership builds on and enhances the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, and more broadly to a rules-based international order. (3) Australia has a strong record of leadership in the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and is fully committed to responsible stewardship of naval nuclear propulsion technology. (4) Pillar 1 of the AUKUS partnership aims to provide Australia with a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability while upholding the highest non‑proliferation standards. (5) In support of this Pillar 1 goal, the United States and the United Kingdom plan to increase port visits to Australia of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines then begin forward rotations of such submarines to Australia at Submarine Rotational Force-West. (6) In support of these goals, the United States will transfer Virginia-class submarines to Australia to bolster its critical undersea capabilities and enhance its undersea presence in the Indo-Pacific region. (7) Pillar 1 of the AUKUS partnership will enhance all three nations’ defense industrial capacity to produce and sustain interoperable nuclear-powered submarines, expand collective undersea presence in the Indo-Pacific, and contribute to freedom of navigation, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (8) Trilateral security cooperation that strengthens joint capabilities, enhances the ability to share information and technology safely, and integrates defense industrial bases and supply chains will contribute to the security of each nation as well as peace and