‘Not a defence alliance’: Australia looks to assuage Asean’s concerns over Aukus nuclear subs deal

Canberra’s envoy to the Southeast Asian bloc says the arrangement will not change Australia’s commitment to Asean-led regional infrastructure

His comments come after Malaysia and Indonesia laid out worries about a potential nuclear arms race, with an analyst warning of China’s response

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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media on September 19 following France’s decision to recall its ambassadors to Canberra and Washington. Photo: EPA

Published: 6:32pm, 20 Sep 2021Updated: 11:56am, 21 Sep 2021

Australia on Monday sought to assuage regional anxieties over its plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines through a joint arrangement with Britain and the United States, with Canberra’s envoy to Asean saying the agreement was “not a defence alliance or pact”.

In a statement, Will Nankervis said the arrangement would not change “Australia’s commitment to Asean nor our ongoing support for the Asean-led regional infrastructure”.

Canberra was committed to continuing to foster a “peaceful, secure region” with the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations at its centre, Jakarta-based Nankervis said.

His comments follow expressions of concern by Indonesia and Malaysia over the tripartite Aukus group’s announcement last week regarding Australia’s submarine acquisition plans.

Though Canberra had made clear it had no intention for the submarines – which are to be operational in the 2040s – to be armed with nuclear weapons, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he was concerned the development might “catalyse a nuclear arms race” in the Indo-Pacific.