Topic
The United States, Britain and Australia announced a security pact, dubbed the "Aukus" alliance, in September 2021, which includes an agreement to help Canberra secure a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. The move was seen as targeted at China, and has caused anger in France and India.
- Australian Defence Minister Richard called the development ‘once in a generation change’
- The first US submarine is expected to be sold to Australia in the next decade after a compromise between Republicans and Democrats
The US$872.4 billion ‘must-pass’ National Defence Authorisation Act includes Taipei cybersecurity deal and prioritises Aukus arms sales.
AI could improve Aukus buoys network in Indo-Pacific able to detect enemy subs and relay information to patrol aircraft, top defence officials explain.
The defence chiefs of the three nations said the technology could enable the allies to detect Chinese submarines with greater speed and accuracy.
Additional legislation would bolster American cooperation with India, Japan and Australia as part of Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy says Australia is not worsening the arms race and gives assurance about the submarines’ nuclear reactors.
China is one of Wellington’s key foreign policy priorities as it remains New Zealand’s biggest trading partner.
Working meetings on disputed waterways, arms control and financial governance among the forerunners to summit between presidents.
The Australia-US alliance and security concerns are ‘impediments’ to better China ties and will over time erode trade and people links, the think tank report notes.
New PM Chris Luxon is set to pursue warmer China ties, but he has to balance expectations from New Zealanders and the Five Eyes, while Aukus could also constrain his moves.
Secretaries of defence and state say the aid request ‘is vital to secure a free and open Indo-Pacific in the face of mounting challenges in that region’.
At a joint briefing with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, US President Joe Biden is ‘confident’ Congress will pass funding for Aukus subs and that the alliance is an ‘anchor’ to peace and prosperity in the region.
US President Joe Biden and Australian PM Anthony Albanese, meeting in Washington this week, will push regional development, officials say, including internet connections, submarine cables, even docks to ease travel and trade.
The pomp-filled state visit comes as Washington looks to reinforce its ties with long-time ally Australia as part of a broader strategy to counter Beijing.
The head of Britain ’s Royal Navy has joined Australia in questioning US bureaucratic hurdles facing the three-country Aukus project to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.
Readers discuss Canberra’s efforts to boost the country’s defence capabilities, and the scourge of armed conflict.
The US, Australia and UK in March unveiled details of the Aukus plan to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines from the early 2030s to counter China’s ambitions in Indo-Pacific.
On sidelines of UN General Assembly, President Ranil Wickremesinghe countered recent claims by New Delhi that Beijing was sending ships to Sri Lanka to spy on India.
