Defence Minister Richard Marles was saved from a diplomatic snub during his visit to Washington DC by a “happenstance” encounter with his US counterpart.

Marles was in the US capital this week to discuss key defence matters, including the AUKUS nuclear submarines deal, with top officials from the Trump administration.

His main goal was to hold talks with his direct US opposite – Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Marles posted photos on social media of his encounter with Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance in the White House on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) in Washington. He also met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

But overnight 9News has been told by the Pentagon that Marles held no formal sit-down meeting with Hegseth, but instead had ” a happenstance encounter”.

Marles’ official statement was carefully worded to avoid any mention of formal talks.

“I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Vice President Vance and Secretary Rubio,” it said.

It goes on to say it was “fantastic” to “see” Hegseth again.

A major goal behind Marles’ visit to the US was to prop up the AUKUS agreement, under which Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines from the US and Britain.

In June, Hegseth announced the Pentagon was launching a review into the AUKUS agreement. There are concerns that the US will not provide Australia with its first Virginia-class submarine by the early 2030s as planned because American submarine building was behind schedule.

The submarines are expected cost Australia up to $380 billion.

The Trump administration is also pushing Australia to raise its defence spending, from 2 per cent to 3.5 per cent, as the US seeks to meet China’s military might in the Indo-Pacific.

National Party Senator Bridget McKenzie told Today this morning, securing a sit-down meeting with Hegseth was crucial for the Australian government.

“He [Marles] secures Vance, he secures Rubio. But the one guy he really wanted to sit down with, Secretary of Defence, was a no show.”