The US, Australia and the UK announced the military-industrial pact on Monday Selling three to five US nuclear submarines to Canberra and a plan to develop a new type of submarine for the British and Australian navies using American technology, aimed at countering the Chinese regime’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific.
President of the United States, Joe BidenIn San Diego, California, he met the British Prime Minister. Rishi Sunakand the Australian ‘Premier’, Anthony AlbaneseThis historic agreement, which includes joint submarine patrols in the Pacific, is to be announced.
Biden asserted that the agreement attests to “ancient ties” between the three countries and underscores his “commitment” to a “free and open” Indo-Pacific.
“I want to make it clear to the whole world from the beginning that these submarines are not nuclear-armed but nuclear-powered. Australia is proud to be a nuclear-weapon-free nation and intends to remain so,” Biden added.
For his part, Albanese pointed out that “AUKUS is our way of facing the future” and recalled “a common tradition of service for peace and sacrifice in the name of freedom”. “We respect and honor our past, and with AUKUS we look to the future.” He added: “This is the largest single investment in Australia’s defense capability in our entire history.”
Under the deal, Australia will buy three US Virginia-class nuclear submarines in the early 2030s, with an option to buy two more if needed, the US national security adviser told reporters. Jack SullivanOn the way to San Diego.
The project will culminate in British and Australian production and operation of a new class of submarines – SSN-AUKUS – built in Britain and Australia, built to a British design using Virginia-class technology, another senior US official said.
“The first British submarines built to this design will be delivered in the late 2030s. (…) and the first Australian submarines will follow in the early 2040s,” a British report said.
Under the deal, US and UK submarines will be sent to Western Australia to help train Australian crews and strengthen deterrence.
He explained that the U.S. goal is to begin these rotating deployments with one submarine starting in 2027 and, within a few years, increase the number to four American and one British submarine.
The first phase of the project is already underway with VirginiaThe nuclear-powered cruise missile attack submarine is currently on its way to Perth, Australia, officials said.
AUKUS was the first time Washington shared nuclear-powered technology with Britain in the 1950s. China has condemned AUKUS as an illegal act of nuclear proliferation.
Australian Defense Minister Richard MarlesSpeaking before Parliament in Canberra last week, he said the submarines were capable of operating in war, dependent on Australian interests, although their “real purpose” was to maintain peace and stability in the region. In China’s growing influence.
The submarines – which will operate with Australian, British and American crews – represent a “serious threat of nuclear proliferation” to China, a spokesman for the Asian giant’s foreign ministry said, urging members of AUKUS to abandon their mission. War mentality”.
At the time, the announcement sparked a diplomatic crisis between Australia and France, as it canceled a contract with French shipping company Naval to build conventional submarines for Canberra.
The new submarines will allow Australia to join the club of nations with nuclear-powered submarines that includes the US, Russia, China, the UK, France and India from next decade.
(With information from Reuters and EFE)
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