LONDON: The UK, US and Australia have launched a special security pact to share advanced defense technologies, in an effort to counter China.
The partnership will enable Australia to build nuclear-powered submarines for the first time. The pact, to be known as Aukus, will also cover artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and cyber.
The three countries are worried about China’s growing power and military presence in the Indo-Pacific. On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison issued a joint statement on the launch of the new security partnership, labelled Aukus.
“As the first initiative under Aukus… we commit to a shared ambition to support Australia in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy,” the statement said.
The leaders said the aim was to “bring an Australian capability into service at the earliest achievable date”, adding, “Australia remains committed to fulfilling all of its obligations as a non-nuclear weapons state.”
It went on to say that the defense pact would also focus on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence and “additional undersea capabilities”.
(With inputs from BBC)
Comment