Aukus expansion: Japan, South Korea want in on Pillar 2 – but trust is still a sticking point

Aukus looks poised to expand, with a trio of US-aligned nations voicing their desire to join the regional security pact’s technology sharing element in recent months.

The three-way military partnership between Australia, Britain and the United States was first unveiled in September 2021, with the express aim of furnishing Canberra’s military with nuclear-powered submarines, and sharing advanced defence technology with “traditional security partners”. It is also widely seen as an attempt to push back against China’s growing power in the Asia-Pacific region.

Three US partners – South Korea, Japan and New Zealand – are now itching to sign up for Aukus’ so-called Pillar 2, which promises access to sensitive knowledge and military expertise on a host of cutting-edge innovations, from quantum computing and artificial intelligence to hypersonic weaponry. Pillar 1 relates to nuclear submarines.

Observers expect Japan to be the first to take the plunge on Aukus-related projects, and lawmakers in Washington are already pushing for Tokyo to get involved. On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill that would require the US to coordinate a path forward for Japan’s cooperation on advanced technology projects.

Last month, China expressed its concerns about rumours that Japan could soon join Aukus – reports that Australia was quick to hose it down, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying there were “no plans” to expand the pact beyond its three founding members.

South Korea was next to rock the boat, with its Defence Minister Shin Won-sik saying on May 1 that the possibility of sharing advanced military technology with Aukus members had been discussed during two days of meetings in Melbourne with Australian officials.