As per ‘Auckus’, Australia will build nuclear-powered submarines for the first time, using technology provided by the U.S.
The United Kingdom (U.K.), United States (U.S.) and Australia have announced a historic security pact, ‘Auckus’ to counter the growing influence of China in the Asia-Pacific region.
The new partnership was announced in a joint virtual press conference between the President of U.S. – Joe Biden, the Prime Minister of U.K. – Boris Johnson and Prime Minister of Australia – Scott Morrison.
The pact will deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies. It is one of the biggest defence partnerships between countries. As per the pact, Australia will build nuclear-powered submarines for the first time, using technology provided by the U.S.
Announcing the pact, Joe Biden tweeted,
Tune in as I deliver remarks on a national security initiative – joined virtually by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson. https://t.co/reAHEnNxAZ
— President Biden (@POTUS) September 15, 2021
Taking it to twitter, Boris Johnson said,
The UK, Australia and the USA are forming a new trilateral defence partnership that will preserve security and stability around the world.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) September 16, 2021
It will also create hundreds of high-skilled jobs across the country, driving forward our levelling up agenda.#AUKUS https://t.co/W1MibdaBDc
Scott Morrison tweeted,
Today, Australia begins an enhanced trilateral security partnership with the UK and the US to enable deeper cooperation on security and defence capabilities. This is an historic opportunity for our countries to strengthen our nations’ security in uncertain times. #AUKUS
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) September 15, 2021
He further tweeted,
We intend to build these submarines in Adelaide in close cooperation with the UK and the US. But let me be clear, Australia is not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) September 15, 2021
It was great to join Australia's good friends @POTUS and @BorisJohnson to announce this new partnership today. pic.twitter.com/n9cqoIliM9
On the other hand, China has criticised the pact and has called it extremely irresponsible. The Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of People’s Republic of China – Zhao Lijian said that the pact undermines regional peace and stability and intensifies the arms race. China accused the three nations of a Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice.
The pact also created a row with France, which has now lost a deal with Australia to build 12 submarines. The Foreign Minister of France – Jean-Yves Le Drian said it’s a stab in the back.
The pact aims to preserve security and stability around the world and generate hundreds of high-skilled jobs. The pact will focus on military capability, separating it from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance which also includes New Zealand and Canada.
Western nations have been wary of China’s infrastructure investment on Pacific islands and have also criticised China’s trade sanctions against countries like Australia. While Australia had in the past maintained good relations with China, its biggest trading partner, the relationship has broken down in recent years amid political tensions.
These submarines are much faster and harder to detect than conventionally powered fleets. They can stay submerged for months and shoot missiles longer distances. The U.S. is sharing its submarine technology for the first time in 50 years. It had previously only shared technology with the U.K.
Australia will become just the seventh nation in the world to operate nuclear-powered submarines, after the US, UK, France, China, India and Russia.
