Hard News: AUKUS

The US, UK and Australian leaders unveiled the details of the AUKUS deal, which aims to establish a fleet of “nuclear-powered submarines” for defending the Indo-Pacific region.

The main purpose of the AUKUS deal is to enhance stability in the Indo-Pacific region, US President Joe Biden said.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the challenges “have only grown” after the first announcement of AUKUS.

“Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, China’s growing assertiveness, the destabilizing behaviour of Iran and North Korea all threaten to create a world defined by danger, disorder and division,” he said.

Mr Biden said the trilateral cooperation was committed to ensuring the Indo-Pacific will be “free and open”.

“In forging this new partnership, we’re showing how democracies can deliver our own security and prosperity and not just for us but for the entire world,” he said.

Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the deal is the “biggest single investment in Australia’s defence capability” which aims to enhance the national security of Australia and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

“My government is determined to invest in our defence capability. But we are also determined to promote security by investing in our relationships across our region,” he said.

Under the AUKUS deal, the first project is to develop Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine capacity, and Australia will purchase three Virginia-class submarines in the early 2030s.

However, the “ultimate goal” is to construct the next generation submarine – SSN-AUKUS – which is based on British design and cutting-edge technologies of the three countries.

The SSN-AUKUS is powered by nuclear propulsion technology but does not carry any nuclear weapons, as well as the Virginia class.

RMIT University Asian studies senior lecturer Dr Chengju Huang said the AUKUS deal could be seen as a response to China.

“China has been increasing its military budget for many years. They would argue China is already a threat, so we have to respond, the AUKUS deal is part of it,” Dr Huang said.

“The South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait are important in international sort of shipping lanes.”

“They are worried that if China controls the South China Sea and takes over Taiwan, China would control the west pacific. It is kind of a threat to Australian interest.”

The AUKUS would also cause “concerns” from other Asian neighbours, not just China, Dr Huang said.

“They [Asian neighbours] might ask why Australia needs nuclear subs? What is the real purpose? Do you want to be dominant? Not just deal with China, are you going to deal with everybody here?”

“It can be a big suspicion that could potentially affect the kind of trust from other Asian countries as well, not just China.”

Dr Huang said the deal would trigger the “further armed race”.

“China would say if you have six, I will add another 12. If you do forty, how about I do 80?” he said.

“Other Asian countries as well as Indonesia might say I have to strengthen my naval power.”