US, UK, Australia announce ‘historic’ military partnership in move likely to anger China

The pact will provide nuclear submarine technology for Australia to ‘improve deterrence across the Indo-Pacific’, says a senior US administration official

‘Beijing will see this as part of US efforts to forge coalitions aimed at pushing back against China,’ according to an analyst

Reading Time:5 minutes

99+

US President Joe Biden speaks at the White House about the new security alliance with Australia and Britain. Joining virtually were Australian leader Scott Morrison (left) and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Photo: EPA-EFE

Robert Delaneyin WashingtonandOwen Churchillin Palo Alto

Published: 5:00am, 16 Sep 2021Updated: 10:12am, 21 Sep 2021

The US, Britain and Australia have forged a “historic” security alliance to strengthen military capabilities in the Pacific, allowing them to share advanced defence technologies and giving Australian forces nuclear submarine technology. The move, announced on Wednesday, extends Washington’s drive for military cooperation that has angered China.

To begin the “Aukus” security partnership, naval officials and technical specialists from the three countries will work together over the next 18 months to give Australia the nuclear technology that will allow it to deploy submarines “to improve deterrence across the Indo-Pacific”, said a senior official from US President Joe Biden’s administration.

“We undertake this effort as part of a larger constellation of steps, including stronger bilateral partnerships with our traditional security partners in Asia – Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines – and also stronger engagements with new partners like India, Vietnam and new formations like the Quad,” the official said, referring to the security grouping of the US, India, Japan and Australia.

“This is an historic announcement. It reflects the Biden administration’s determination to build stronger partnerships to sustain peace and stability across the entire Indo-Pacific region.”

The three countries will also cooperate on integrating artificial intelligence, quantum computing and undersea capabilities into their military operations.

At a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and British leader Boris Johnson, Biden said the initiative was needed to ensure the US and its allies had the “most modern capabilities we need to manoeuvre and defend against rapidly evolving threats”.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x