2 Years On, AUKUS Continues to Raise Questions
1 year, 2 months ago

2 Years On, AUKUS Continues to Raise Questions

The Diplomat  

The AUKUS security pact marked its second birthday on September 15, but questions continue to surround the agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. When the AUKUS Agreement was revealed on September 15, 2021, in a joint press conference with Morrison, U.S. President Joe Biden, and then-U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the White House press briefing described it as an agreement that “binds decisively Australia to the United States and Great Britain for generations.” AUKUS immediately riled China, which felt targeted and contained by the agreement. The public reaction against the U.S. agreement has delayed the signing of a security treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea, as questions about sovereignty and the treaty’s scope are hammered out in Port Moresby and Canberra. Despite the powerful rhetoric of ironclad bonds of friendship embedded in AUKUS, several U.S. congressmen have recently pushed back on AUKUS provisions that require legislative changes to permit sensitive information sharing, and have raised questions about the U.S. capacity to meet the timeline for delivery of the first three Virginia-class submarines to Australia while also meeting U.S. force needs. A recent Lowy Institute seminar in Port Moresby on Papua New Guinea security policy also reiterated that defense and security in Oceania needs to be rethought on Pacific Islands’ terms.

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History of this topic

Congressional report suggests Australia could dump plans to acquire AUKUS nuclear submarines
2 months, 1 week ago

Congressional report suggests Australia could dump plans to acquire AUKUS nuclear submarines

ABC  

Research prepared for the United States Congress argues Australia could abandon its $368 billion AUKUS push to buy nuclear-powered submarines, outlining several alternatives including US owned boats serving both nations. "An alternative to Pillar 1 as currently structured would be a US-Australia military division of labour under which US SSNs would perform both US and Australian SSN missions while Australia …

China expresses concerns over expansion of Australia-UK-US pact in Asia-Pacific
7 months, 4 weeks ago

China expresses concerns over expansion of Australia-UK-US pact in Asia-Pacific

China Daily  

China is gravely concerned about the expansion of the Australia-United Kingdom-United States trilateral security partnership, saying it would severely undermine peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, a defense spokesman said on Thursday. "We are open to normal military cooperation between any countries, but we firmly oppose relevant countries cobbling together exclusive groupings, building bilateral or multilateral military alliances targeting …

China expresses concerns over expansion of Australia-UK-US pact in Asia-Pacific
7 months, 4 weeks ago

China expresses concerns over expansion of Australia-UK-US pact in Asia-Pacific

China Daily  

China is gravely concerned about the expansion of the Australia-United Kingdom-United States trilateral security partnership, saying it would severely undermine peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, a defense spokesman said on Thursday. "We are open to normal military cooperation between any countries, but we firmly oppose relevant countries cobbling together exclusive groupings, building bilateral or multilateral military alliances targeting …

Australia, Britain sign defence cooperation agreement to meet 'contemporary challenges'
9 months ago

Australia, Britain sign defence cooperation agreement to meet 'contemporary challenges'

Firstpost  

The treaty signed on Thursday requires the two nations to consult each other if they come under threat, Shapps told reporters in Canberra. Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom Grant Shapps and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles exchange Defence Treaty documents during a meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, March 21, 2024.- Reuters Australia and the United …

Pentagon sparks fresh AUKUS doubts on anniversary of Australia's nuclear-powered submarine plans
9 months, 1 week ago

Pentagon sparks fresh AUKUS doubts on anniversary of Australia's nuclear-powered submarine plans

ABC  

In short: Defence Minister Richard Marles says AUKUS partners are working to help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines despite changes to procurement plans in the US. Defence Minister Richard Marles says AUKUS partners are working to help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines despite changes to procurement plans in the US. Defence Minister Richard Marles insists AUKUS partners are working "at pace" to …

AUKUS will ensure safety, security, and peace in the Indo-Pacific: US official
9 months, 2 weeks ago

AUKUS will ensure safety, security, and peace in the Indo-Pacific: US official

The Hindu  

The AUKUS trilateral cooperation between Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom will ensure safety, security and peace in the Indo-Pacific, said Bonnie Denise Jenkins, U.S. Ms. Jenkins stressed that AUKUS does not violate the non-proliferation treaty and Australia will remain a non-nuclear state that does not acquire nuclear weapons. To a question from The Hindu on the conversations …

Pentagon forges new high-tech agreement with Australia, United Kingdom, aimed at countering China
1 year ago

Pentagon forges new high-tech agreement with Australia, United Kingdom, aimed at countering China

Associated Press  

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California — From underwater drones to electronic warfare, the U.S. is expanding its high-tech military cooperation with Australia and the United Kingdom as part of a broader effort to counter China’s rapidly growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with defense chiefs from Australia and the United Kingdom at the U.S. military’s defense technology hub …

2 Years On, AUKUS Continues to Raise Questions
1 year, 3 months ago

2 Years On, AUKUS Continues to Raise Questions

The Diplomat  

China obviously has concerns about the security pact, but so do some of Australia’s friends and partners – and Australians themselves. When the AUKUS Agreement was revealed on September 15, 2021, in a joint press conference with Morrison, U.S. President Joe Biden, and then-U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the White House press briefing described it as an agreement that “binds …

AUKUS could expand in second phase to include other countries, US officials say, while challenges remain for nuclear subs delivery
1 year, 5 months ago

AUKUS could expand in second phase to include other countries, US officials say, while challenges remain for nuclear subs delivery

ABC  

Senior US officials say they are in talks with a "variety" of other countries about potentially involving them in the second phase of the AUKUS agreement. Key points: White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell said other allies could potentially take part in the second phase He did not name which countries the US has been talking to, however Canada and …

What is the AUKUS pact?
1 year, 8 months ago

What is the AUKUS pact?

Hindustan Times  

ON MARCH 13TH Joe Biden, America’s president, accompanied by Anthony Albanese and Rishi Sunak, the prime ministers of Australia and Britain respectively, gathered in front of the USS Missouri, a Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine in San Diego, California. As a stopgap, as early as 2027 America will deploy Virginia-class attack submarines, rotating up to four of them continuously through HMAS …

AUKUS Details, Coming Soon
1 year, 9 months ago

AUKUS Details, Coming Soon

The Diplomat  

Plans for Australia’s new fleet of submarines are expected to be announced in March. So far all that is currently known about the AUKUS agreement, announced in September 2021 between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, is that Australia will replace its current fleet of Collins-class diesel-electric submarines with eight new nuclear-powered submarines. He highlighted that Australia’s partnerships …

'AUKUS nuclear submarine deal doesn't mean Australia will side with US against China'
1 year, 9 months ago

'AUKUS nuclear submarine deal doesn't mean Australia will side with US against China'

Firstpost  

Richard Marles, the defence minister, claimed that the United States had received no guarantees from his administration regarding Taiwan. He said, ““Absolutely not, and I couldn’t be more unequivocal than that” Canberra: In exchange for American nuclear-powered submarines, the Australian defence minister claims his nation has not promised to back the United States in any future disputes involving Taiwan. With …

Explained | The AUKUS deal to get nuclear-powered submarines for Australia
1 year, 9 months ago

Explained | The AUKUS deal to get nuclear-powered submarines for Australia

The Hindu  

The story so far: United States President Joe Biden, alongside his Australian and British counterparts Anthony Albanese and Rishi Sunak, unveiled on Monday, March 13, a deal to sell U.S. Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia and to provide American technology for the production of such submarines in British and Australian facilities. Stating that challenges to global stability had only grown …

China says AUKUS deal going down ‘wrong and dangerous path’
1 year, 9 months ago

China says AUKUS deal going down ‘wrong and dangerous path’

The Hindu  

Expressing its “firm opposition” to Monday’s announcement on Australia’s purchase of nuclear-powered submarines, China’s government on March 14 slammed the Australia, United States and United Kingdom partnership as going “down the wrong and dangerous path” and undermining international nuclear non-proliferation. It will only exacerbate arms race, undermine the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and hurt regional peace and stability,” Foreign Ministry …

With AUKUS, West is getting ready for 'years of confrontation' in Asia, says Russia
1 year, 9 months ago

With AUKUS, West is getting ready for 'years of confrontation' in Asia, says Russia

Firstpost  

China also warned Australia, UK and the US that they were treading a ‘path of error and danger’ after they unveiled a nuclear-powered submarines deal Moscow: Close on heels of China’s rejection of the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the West on Tuesday of fomenting “years of confrontation” in the Asia-Pacific region after the AUKUS …

‘On a path of danger’: China-Russia warn US, Australia over AUKUS pact
1 year, 9 months ago

‘On a path of danger’: China-Russia warn US, Australia over AUKUS pact

Live Mint  

A day after the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia unveiled the details around the AUKUS nuclear submarines, China and Russia on Tuesday condemned the three countries for disregarding the concerns of the international community and claimed that they are treading on a "path of error and danger." The UN nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency also took note …

AUKUS: China threatens US, UK for arming non-nuclear Australia with tons of weapons-grade enriched uranium
1 year, 9 months ago

AUKUS: China threatens US, UK for arming non-nuclear Australia with tons of weapons-grade enriched uranium

Firstpost  

Pro-China experts called AUKUS deal an ’expensive mistake’ and a ’time bomb for peace’ in the region Beijing: The AUKUS nuclear submarine deal involving Australia, US and UK has unnerved China. The Chinese government claimed the US and UK are “clearly violating the object and purpose of the NPT” by transferring tons of weapons-grade enriched uranium to a non-nuclear-weapon Australia. …

AUKUS not a challenge to ‘anybody’: Joe Biden
1 year, 9 months ago

AUKUS not a challenge to ‘anybody’: Joe Biden

Live Mint  

US President Joe Biden has dismissed China's concerns about the AUKUS trilateral security pact as he met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The submarines won't carry nuclear weapons, but the pact has been strongly criticised by China, which has accused the members of having a "Cold War mentality." US President Joe Biden called the moment "an inflection point in history" …

Beyond the Quad: Booming Security Cooperation Efforts in the Indo-Pacific
1 year, 10 months ago

Beyond the Quad: Booming Security Cooperation Efforts in the Indo-Pacific

The Diplomat  

Quad partners are becoming much more serious about security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Reciprocal Access Agreement said that the agreement is meant to “simplify procedures when implementing cooperative activities, such as port calls of vessels and joint exercises between the two countries and further promote bilateral security and defense cooperation.” A U.K. government press release said that the agreement “will …

Trouble for AUKUS Alliance as Biden Urged to Rethink Sale of Nuclear Submarines to Australia
1 year, 11 months ago

Trouble for AUKUS Alliance as Biden Urged to Rethink Sale of Nuclear Submarines to Australia

News 18  

A Republican and a Democrat senator have urged US President Joe Biden to not sell nuclear-powered submarines to Australia because it would negatively impact America’s national security and also because vessels are ‘scarce.’ The leak was reported by Breaking Defence and the Guardian. “We are concerned that what was initially touted as a ‘do no harm’ opportunity to support Australia …

AUKUS members say plans on track for US and UK to help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarine fleet
2 years ago

AUKUS members say plans on track for US and UK to help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarine fleet

ABC  

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says Australia will be able to acquire nuclear-powered submarines by the deadline set out in the AUKUS alliance without imposing any new taxes on Australians to fund it. Key points: AUKUS has set a target of March 2023 to figure out a plan for Australia to acquire a nuclear-powered sub Australia, the UK, and the …

China withdraws proposal against AUKUS nuclear submarines plan at IAEA
2 years, 2 months ago

China withdraws proposal against AUKUS nuclear submarines plan at IAEA

The Hindu  

“China has withdrawn a draft resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency against the AUKUS grouping seeking to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines following India’s objective view on the issue,” sources said. The big deal behind the ruckus over AUKUS The AUKUS security partnership announced in September last it would facilitate Australia getting technology to build nuclear-powered submarines. The Indian …

The aftermath of the AUKUS deal at the Shangri-la Dialogue
2 years, 5 months ago

The aftermath of the AUKUS deal at the Shangri-la Dialogue

Hindustan Times  

The heads of government of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States consists of a trilateral security pact, known by the acronym, AUKUS, the nuclear coalition has ignited unprecedented French rage. Without naming China, US President Joe Biden cleverly announced that “in order to deal with rapidly evolving threats,” the US and Britain would share with Australia, intelligence and …

Australia, Japan to sign ‘historic’ defense, security pact
2 years, 11 months ago

Australia, Japan to sign ‘historic’ defense, security pact

Associated Press  

SYDNEY — Australia and Japan will sign a treaty on Thursday to increase defense and security cooperation in a move that has been hailed as “historic” but which might anger China. Prime ministers Scott Morrison of Australia and Fumio Kishida of Japan will meet in a virtual summit to sign the agreement, which Morrison said “will underpin greater and more …

AUKUS could rock China’s boat in the Indo-Pacific
3 years, 1 month ago

AUKUS could rock China’s boat in the Indo-Pacific

The Hindu  

The trilateral security agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States continues to be in the news. While AUKUS is clearly an attempt by the U.S. to bolster regional security, including securing Australia’s seaborne trade, any sudden accretion in Australia’s naval capabilities is bound to cause unease in the region. Even though Australia has denied that AUKUS is …

Australia makes new strategic pact with South-East Asian nations at ASEAN summit
3 years, 1 month ago

Australia makes new strategic pact with South-East Asian nations at ASEAN summit

ABC  

Australia and the Association of South-East Asian Nations have agreed to establish a "comprehensive strategic partnership" as the federal government intensifies efforts to expand its influence in the region. Key points: Concrete details about the partnership are yet to be announced PM says AUKUS nuclear submarine deal will not be a threat to the region Indonesian President Joko Widodo said …

Australia, UK defend AUKUS pact, say fears overhyped
3 years, 2 months ago

Australia, UK defend AUKUS pact, say fears overhyped

Associated Press  

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Australia and Britain on Thursday defended their nuclear submarine deal with the U.S. amid concerns it could escalate tensions in the region and spark an arms race. Others such as the Philippines, which claims part of the South China Sea, suggested AUKUS could help restore balance in the region, alluding to China’s growing military might. Malaysian …

AUKUS and Kunming-172: An Alert for Indonesia
3 years, 2 months ago

AUKUS and Kunming-172: An Alert for Indonesia

Hindustan Times  

The recent security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, dubbed as AUKUS, has sparked various concerns in the Indo-Pacific about the future of peace and stability in the region. In the same week of the announcement of AUKUS, the Chinese destroyer Kunming-172 was reported intimidating local fishermen in the North Natuna Sea, where Indonesia’s claim over …

AUKUS challenge to multilateral EU, ASEAN approaches
3 years, 2 months ago

AUKUS challenge to multilateral EU, ASEAN approaches

New Indian Express  

While the announcement came as a surprise, the move is not a totally new revelation as this kind of formulation could well be anticipated in the foreign policy manoeuvrings of the three states. For the UK, its post-Brexit foreign policy was one that was aimed at promoting the vision of a Global Britain, a role in which it saw itself …

AUKUS: U.S.' military grouping could be the start of a Cold War with China
3 years, 2 months ago

AUKUS: U.S.' military grouping could be the start of a Cold War with China

The Hindu  

As the pandemic showed signs of ebb ing, more heads of state addressed the United Nations General Assembly in person this time than last year. The statement also reiterated the Quad’s support for the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea “to meet the challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the East and South China Seas”. The …

AUKUS Complements Quad; Warm Embrace of it by India, Says Australian PM Morrison
3 years, 2 months ago

AUKUS Complements Quad; Warm Embrace of it by India, Says Australian PM Morrison

News 18  

The trilateral AUKUS security alliance complements partnerships like Quad and there was a “very warm embrace” of the deal by India and Japan as both the countries totally understood and supported what it is seeking to achieve, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday. He said Quad comprising India, Australia, the US and Japan, is not an alliance and …

Another grouping: The Hindu Editorial on AUKUS
3 years, 3 months ago

Another grouping: The Hindu Editorial on AUKUS

The Hindu  

In its first reaction to AUKUS, the new partnership between Australia, the U.S. and the U.K., India has made it clear that it does not welcome the announcement, nor does it wish to link AUKUS to Indian interests. Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said that AUKUS, which was launched a week before the first in-person summit of leaders of the Australia-India-Japan-U.S. …

AUKUS trilateral security alliance: US rules out out adding India or Japan to Australia, UK counterparts
3 years, 3 months ago

AUKUS trilateral security alliance: US rules out out adding India or Japan to Australia, UK counterparts

Firstpost  

The trilateral security alliance AUKUS, seen as an effort to counter China in the Indo-Pacific, will allow the US and the UK to provide Australia with the technology to develop nuclear-powered submarines for the first time Washington: The US has ruled out adding India or Japan to the new trilateral security partnership with Australia and Britain to meet the challenges …

U.S. rules out adding India, Japan to AUKUS
3 years, 3 months ago

U.S. rules out adding India, Japan to AUKUS

The Hindu  

The United States has ruled out adding India or Japan to the new trilateral security partnership with Australia and Britain to meet the challenges of the 21st century in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. On September 15, U.S. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson jointly announced the formation of the trilateral security alliance …

US rules out adding India or Japan to security alliance with Australia and UK
3 years, 3 months ago

US rules out adding India or Japan to security alliance with Australia and UK

India TV News  

The US has ruled out adding India or Japan to the new trilateral security partnership with Australia and Britain to meet the challenges of the 21st century in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. On September 15, US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson jointly announced the formation of the trilateral security alliance AUKUS …

India was informed of AUKUS: Australian envoy
3 years, 3 months ago

India was informed of AUKUS: Australian envoy

The Hindu  

Australia had informed India at the highest levels of the new enhanced trilateral security partnership with the U.S. and the U.K. -- AUKUS -- before it was formally announced, Australian High Commissioner Barry O’Farrell said on Friday. The decision for the partnership reflected a much more “challenging strategic environment,” which they shared with India, where “great power competition is intensifying,” …

India shares challenges that prompted us to join AUKUS: Australian envoy
3 years, 3 months ago

India shares challenges that prompted us to join AUKUS: Australian envoy

Hindustan Times  

India shares the “challenging strategic environment” that prompted Australia’s move to forge a security alliance with the US and the UK, including territorial tensions across the Indo-Pacific and China’s massive military modernisation programme, Australian high commissioner Barry O’Farrell said on Friday. Explaining the rationale behind the creation of AUKUS, O’Farrell said: “The decision reflects a much more challenging strategic environment, …

US to send more planes, including bombers, to Australia under defence pact
3 years, 3 months ago

US to send more planes, including bombers, to Australia under defence pact

ABC  

More American troops and military manpower will be deployed to Australia after a new strategic alliance was forged with the United States and Britain. Key points: US officials say they will stand alongside Australia amid mounting pressure from China The new trilaterial security partnership will build nuclear submarines for Australia's fleet Meanwhile, the US has raised concerns about economic backlash …

China responds angrily to Australia-US joint statement a day after AUKUS submarine deal was announced
3 years, 3 months ago

China responds angrily to Australia-US joint statement a day after AUKUS submarine deal was announced

ABC  

The Chinese embassy in Canberra has rejected what they call "unfounded accusations" against China by the defence and foreign ministers of Australia and their US counterparts after annual talks in Washington. Key points: China responds angrily to Australia-US joint statement criticising Beijing on issues like Hong Kong and Xinjiang The joint statement came a day after Australia announced a deal …

News Analysis | AUKUS seeks to reshape Indo-Pacific ties
3 years, 3 months ago

News Analysis | AUKUS seeks to reshape Indo-Pacific ties

The Hindu  

Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. have announced they're forming a new security alliance that will help equip Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the new alliance would allow the three nations to sharpen their focus on an increasingly complicated part of the world. Australia Under the arrangement, Australia will build at least eight nuclear-powered submarines …

China tells West to 'shake off Cold War mentality' after UK, US and Australia launch major new security pact
3 years, 3 months ago

China tells West to 'shake off Cold War mentality' after UK, US and Australia launch major new security pact

The Telegraph  

Boris Johnson, the prime minister, denied the arrangement was specifically aimed at China, telling the House of Commons: “I think it is important for the house to understand that Aukus is not intended to be adversarial towards any other power.” In another attempt to defuse Beijing’s fury, Australian prime minister Scott Morrison said he remained ready to hold discussions with …

AUKUS deal: Australia’s decades-long balancing act between the US and China is over
3 years, 3 months ago

AUKUS deal: Australia’s decades-long balancing act between the US and China is over

CNN  

CNN — For more than 20 years, Australia tried to maintain good relations with both the United States and China. On Thursday, China reacted angrily to the new security deal with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijan saying the blame for deteriorating relations “rests entirely with the Australian side.” Yun Jiang, editor of the China Neican newsletter and researcher at the …

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