Reported at www.theguardian.com: Elbridge Colby, nominated as undersecretary of defense for policy, expressed scepticism about the Aukus agreement to sell Virginia-class submarines to Australia, fearing it could leave US sailors vulnerable if tensions rise in Taiwan.

He emphasised the importance of maintaining sufficient US attack submarine numbers to defend Taiwan and cautioned against reducing the US fleet to accommodate Australia’s needs.

Despite supporting Australia’s submarine ambitions, Colby raised concerns about the US’s current production rates and the logistics of meeting both its own requirements and Australia’s requests under the Aukus pact.