Security News > 2021 > September > This is AUKUS for China – US, UK, Australia reveal defence tech-sharing pact

This is AUKUS for China – US, UK, Australia reveal defence tech-sharing pact
2021-09-16 03:27

Australia, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom have signed a new defence and technology-sharing pact.

Dubbed AUKUS, the headline item of the pact is assistance from the UK and US to help Australia build nuclear-powered submarines that are interoperable with their own fleets.

Australia's Department of Defence Science and Technology argues [PDF] that subs "Can shape or change the behaviour of other nations and their decision-making, which no other Australian Defence Force asset or combination of assets can do".

The only credible regional threat Australia faces is China.

AUKUS is therefore further evidence that the US and UK are keen to contain China.

US President Joe Biden's joint leaders statement that announced AUKUS explained that the pact will also include "Further trilateral collaboration" that will initially "Focus on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and additional undersea capabilities."


News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2021/09/16/aukus_defence_pact/