The United States, Australia and the United Kingdom reached a historic defense agreement in the face of China’s threat

United States, Australia and the United Kingdom announce this Wednesday an ambitious defense pact aimed at confronting China in the Indo-Pacific, And that will include the development of nuclear submarines for Australians.

The pact, called AUKUS for the English initials of the three Anglo-Saxon countries, is aimed at strengthen trilateral cooperation in advanced defense technologies, such as artificial intelligence, underwater systems, and long-range surveillance.

“Our nations, and indeed the world, depend on a free and open Indo-Pacific, which will last and flourish in the coming decades.“U.S. President Joe Biden said in statements to the White House press.

Biden did not mention China, As neither did the prime ministers of Australia, Scott Morrison; and the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson; who delivered two speeches on the subject electronically, through televisions installed on both sides of the American president.

However, the United States has made clear its interest in containing China’s advance into the Pacific, and with the new pact it wants to involve more in this mission. “In Europe, and in particular in the United Kingdom”, Explained a senior US government official in a phone call with reporters.

So far, the United States has only shared its technology to develop nuclear-powered submarines with a single country, the United Kingdom, Something he did in 1958, Stated the said official, who asked to remain anonymous.

This becomes “historical“The source said, the fact that both the United States and the United Kingdom have decided to” add “now to Australia to this deal, with a commitment to help the Royal Australian Navy to acquire nuclear submarines.

In his speech, Biden stressed that the submarines that Australia will achieve will not have “nuclear weapons“But they will be”conventionally armed“, But”powered by nuclear reactors“It’s a proven technology, and it’s safe,” the US president assured.

All three countries have set a deadline of 18 months, Until the first quarter of 2023, to find the “optimal route” to develop Australian submarines “at the earliest possible date”, bringing together knowledge from both the United States and the United Kingdom, Indicates a statement from the three heads of government.

“Australia is not trying to get nuclear weapons or establish a nuclear civilian capability”, Promised Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in his virtual speech at the event chaired by Biden.

The pact with Washington and London could resulting in the cancellation of another agreement Australia had already reached with France for the construction of 12 submarines, According to the Australian newspaper Sydney Morning Herald.

Neither Morrison nor the White House confirmed the possible suspension of this pact between Canberra and Paris, valued at A $ 50 billion ($ 35.51 billion or € 31,355,000) and whose execution has been delayed due to certain ocean country requirements.

The British Prime Minister, for his part, highlighted the ambition of the project, and considered it a “reflection of the depth of friendship“Between the three nations.

“This will be one of the most complex and technically demanding projects in the world. It will take decades and demand the most advanced technology“, Boris Johnson said about the nuclear submarine project for Australia.

In the longer term, the three Anglo-Saxon countries are committed to strengthening their cooperation in “capabilities cybernetics, intelligence artificial, quantum technologies i additional underwater capabilities“, According to the joint statement.

The announcement came a week before Biden will host the White House next September 24 a summit with the leaders of Australia, the India i Japan, With which it maintains an alliance to counter the power of China.

The four countries make up the “quad,” an alliance created in 2007 in response to Beijing’s military boom. Biden will receive in person at the White House the Prime Ministers of Australia, Scott Morrison; from India, Narendra Modi; and from Japan, Yoshihide Suga.

(With information from EFE)

Continue reading: