Australia’s plan to get nuclear-powered submarines under Aukus faces serious trouble. Despite pumping $1 billion to the US for submarine construction, the US shipbuilding industry is not keeping pace with its own Navy’s needs. The US delivered only 4 of 11 planned Virginia-class subs from 2019-2023, building at about half the required rate to meet its own defense goals or supply Australia. A US law states Australia can only receive submarines that are surplus to US needs. Right now, the US Navy has just 49 subs, but wants 66 to meet its target. This means Australia can get boats only if the US has extras, which looks unlikely. Meanwhile, the UK, set to design and build the first Aukus submarines, faces serious problems with nuclear reactor core production. A government report calls the plan “unachievable” due to issues around budget, schedule, and quality. Former UK naval official Rear Adm Philip Mathias said the UK’s submarine program is "no longer capable" and suffers from “catastrophic failure.” The Aukus deal appears less about delivering submarines and more about deepening US-Australia defense ties. More US troops, aircraft, and assets will station in Australia, locking the US into the region’s security, even as the submarine promise dims. The once-bold “full steam ahead” slogan now reveals major cracks beneath the surface.