What does contract mean?
The US and UK are providing Australia with submarine technology and a naval presence to improve defense capabilities. Conventional submarines were replaced by three US nuclear submarines, primarily in the 2030s. Already this year, there has been increased cooperation and training between Australian personnel and the US Navy and Britain’s Royal Navy. From 2027, the US and the UK will conduct rotating submarine patrols in the seas around Australia. The deal also includes building new nuclear-powered submarines for the three countries.
How does the US justify a defense treaty?
President Biden was in San Diego on Monday with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The American called Australian submarines the vanguard of US naval power: “Our unprecedented trilateral cooperation agreement is a testament to the longstanding ties that unite us and our shared commitment to ensuring that the Indo-Pacific remains shared and open.”
How is China responding?
The new partnership, abbreviated as Aukus, aims to strengthen Western alliances to counter aggression in the region. This mainly applies to China’s claims to Taiwan and the South China Sea. For Beijing, Aukus is a military buildup in their neighborhood and a violation of the international treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, not nuclear weapons.
GP’s foreign expert Jan Höglund on the consequences of AUKUS’ announcement on Monday. Photo: Robin Aaron
What is Australia’s approach?
The country’s prime minister spoke in San Diego about the thousands of jobs and economic investments that will be created through the deal. The deal, he said, “represents the largest single investment in Australia’s defense capability in our entire history”.
What does Britain’s Rishi Sunak do?
He balances crises, wars and global polarization between East and West. China, Russia and Iran are cooperating more closely and with Beijing as the facilitator. AUKUS is a slap in the face to the French who lost $66 billion worth of Australian submarine contracts. This led to a diplomatic deadlock between Paris and London. Before the San Diego trip, the British Prime Minister visited Paris and met the French President. It was heartfelt and described as a new beginning.
read more: A united front as Aukus takes shape for the future
read more: Chinese advice after Aukus announcement
read more: The submarine affair dividing Australia
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