About our AUKUS news
Latest news on AUKUS, the Australia-UK-US defence pact and nuclear submarine partnership, covering security developments in the Indo-Pacific region.
AUKUS, established in September 2021, is a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The pact comprises two main pillars: Pillar 1 focuses on Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, while Pillar 2 encompasses collaboration on advanced technologies including quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and hypersonic capabilities.
Recent developments have seen significant progress in both pillars. Under Pillar 1, Australia is set to receive its first Virginia-class submarine from the United States in the early 2030s, with plans to construct its own SSN-AUKUS class submarines in the 2040s. Meanwhile, Pillar 2 is expanding rapidly, with discussions underway about potential Japanese involvement in the technology-sharing aspects of the partnership, and growing interest from other nations including New Zealand in joining the non-nuclear components.
The partnership has sparked intense debate across the Indo-Pacific region. While supporters view it as a crucial step in maintaining regional security, critics, particularly China, have expressed concerns about its impact on strategic stability. The partnership has also led to diplomatic tensions, most notably with France following the cancellation of its conventional submarine contract with Australia, though relations have since improved following a €555 million settlement.
AUKUS represents a significant shift in Indo-Pacific security architecture. The partnership builds upon decades of cooperation between the three nations, including the ANZUS treaty and Five Eyes intelligence sharing arrangement. However, it marks a new level of technology sharing, particularly in nuclear propulsion, which had previously only been shared between the US and UK under their 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement.
As AUKUS continues to evolve, staying informed about its developments is crucial for understanding the changing dynamics of Indo-Pacific security. The partnership's implementation will likely shape regional alliances, defence technology cooperation, and strategic relationships for decades to come, making it a key focus for anyone interested in international security and defence technology developments.