US, UK, and Australia announce AUKUS partnership to modernize Australia’s submarine fleet

The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have announced an 18-month-old nuclear partnership known as AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, and United States) that will enable Australia to access nuclear-powered submarines, which are stealthier and more capable than conventionally powered vessels. The move comes amid growing concerns about China’s military buildup and influence in the Indo- pacific region.
The AUKUS Partnership: An Overview
The partnership will modernize Australia’s submarine fleet by providing access to advanced technology and nuclear-powered propulsion. President Joe Biden, who appeared with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, stressed that the submarines are “nuclear powered, not nuclear-armed.” He added that “these boats will not have any nuclear weapons of any kind of them.”
The AUKUS partnership represents the most significant multilateral defense partnership in generations, according to Sunak, who added that the U.K. will share its 60 years of experience running its own submarine fleet with Australian engineers so that they can build their own fleet. The U.S. will also increase its port visits in Australia to provide more familiarity with the nuclear-powered technology before Australia has such submarines of its own.
The Benefits of Nuclear-Powered Submarines
Australia is buying three, and possibly up to five, Virginia-class boats as part of AUKUS, and a future generation of submarines will be built in the U.K. and in Australia with U.S. technology and support. The partnership has been hailed as the biggest single investment in Australia’s defense capability in all of its history.
Tensions with China and Criticisms of AUKUS
However, China has argued that the AUKUS deal violates the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and that the transfer of nuclear weapons materials from a nuclear-weapon state to a non-nuclear-weapon state is a “blatant” violation of the spirit of the pact. The Australian government has pushed back against the criticism, arguing that it is working to acquire nuclear-powered, not nuclear-armed, submarines.
Biden’s Three-Day Trip to California and Nevada
President Biden’s three-day trip to California and Nevada will also include discussions on gun violence prevention and plans to lower prescription drug costs. The trip will include fundraising stops as Biden steps up his political activity before an expected reelection announcement next month.
In conclusion, the AUKUS partnership is a significant step towards strengthening Australia’s defense capability and maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. However, it has also been met with criticism from China, which highlights the ongoing tensions between the two nations.