A free and open Indo-Pacific is critical to a secure and prosperous world, as the region makes up over half of the global economy. This is why, in September 2021, Australia, the UK and the US launched an enhanced trilateral security partnership called AUKUS. The initiative will strengthen the ability of each of them to support security and defense interests in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
“AUKUS will bring together our military, our scientists, and our industry to maintain and expand our military capability and critical technology advantage,” President Biden said when the partnership was announced.
“It’s about investing in our greatest source of strength – our alliances – and renewing them to better face the threats of today and tomorrow,” he said.
Deepening partnerships
Through the AUKUS partnership, Australia, the US and the UK will apply their technologies to build nuclear submarines for use by Australia and the UK. Although the submarines will be powered by nuclear generators, they will not be equipped with any nuclear weapons.
The technology, which is used on US and UK submarines, has a long history of efficiency and reliability. “This technology has been proven. She is safe,” Biden said.
On March 13, AUKUS partners announced their intention to acquire conventional nuclear submarines from Australia under AUKUS.
Following the deal, Australia’s new nuclear submarine sovereign capability will place it among other powers that already operate nuclear submarines in the region, including the UK, India, France, the People’s Republic of China and Russia.
AUKUS partners will continue consultations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to set the highest nuclear non-proliferation standards for naval nuclear propulsion.
Broad Impact
AUKUS is one component of the US Indo-Pacific Strategy , which sets out a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific that is connected, prosperous, secure, and sustainable.
To advance this vision, the United States is working with partners and allies to build bonds and coalitions between nations, governments, and communities.
In addition to AUKUS, the US continues to support the following initiatives:
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) , whose members are Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
- The Quad , made up of the US, Australia, India and Japan, demonstrates how democracies, working together, can benefit the entire region.
- Partners in the Blue Pacific , which includes Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the UK and the US, will work with countries in the Pacific to expand opportunities.
When AUKUS was announced in September 2021, President Biden pledged that the United States will continue to work with partners “around the world to support a free and open Indo-Pacific and build a peaceful future of opportunity for all residents.” region”.
Source: Share America
