To oppose China’s dominance in the Indo-Pacific area, all three nations have revealed details of their plan to build a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.
Australia will receive its first nuclear-powered submarine from the United states as part of the treaty, at least three of them.
The allies will also seek to build a brand-new fleet employing cutting-edge technology, such as reactors built by Rolls-Royce in the UK.
The significant naval contract “hurts peace and stability,” according to Beijing.
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The Western allies were charged by China’s UN envoy with undermining efforts to prevent nuclear spreading.
Nevertheless, United States Vice President Joseph Biden emphasized the submarines would be “nuclear-powered, not nuclear-armed” and said the agreement was made to support regional peace.
Appearing in San Diego, California, with the prime ministers of the UK and Australia, Rishi Sunak and Anthony Albanese, Mr. Biden said the agreement would not jeopardize Australia’s resolve to become a nuclear-free nation.
Deal – Significance
It represents a significant improvement in the military prowess of the United states ally for Australia. The nation receives Washington’s advanced nuclear propulsion technology, becoming just the second nation after the UK.
It will be able to launch long-range strikes against adversaries for the first time, and the submarines will be able to go farther and quicker than the nation’s current diesel-engine fleet.
Its naval soldiers will be transferred to United States and UK submarine sites starting this year to train on the nuclear-powered submarines, according to the agreement.
In Detailed Nuclear Submarine Process
Before Canberra purchases three United states-model Virginia-class submarines in the early 2030s – with possibilities to acquire two more – they will base a small number of nuclear submarines there beginning in 2027.
Following that, it is intended to design and construct an altogether new SSN-AUKUS-class nuclear-powered submarine for the navy of the UK and Australia.
This attack craft will be constructed in Australia and Britain following a British design while incorporating technology from all three nations.
According to President Biden, all three nations are dedicated to ensuring that the Indo-Pacific region is free and open.
We’re demonstrating once more, he continued, “how democracies can bring our own security and prosperity… not just for us but for the entire world,” by establishing this new relationship.
Additionally, he promised to spend $4.6 billion (£3.7 billion) to increase the States ‘s ability to build submarines and to maintain its fleet of Virginia-class nuclear submarines.
The plan, which may cost Australia’s capital up to A$368 billion (£201 billion) over 30 years, was described as the “largest single investment in defense capabilities in all of its history” by the country’s prime minister.
Anthony Albanese claimed that thousands of employment would be created in the area by building submarines in Australian shipyards.
The risks to global stability, according to the UK PM, have gotten worse in the 18 months after the alliance was announced.
Russia’s illegitimate invasion of Ukraine, China’s increasing assertiveness, Iran’s behavior is destabilizing, and North Korea’s actions all pose a threat to a world that is defined by danger, instability, and division, according to Mr. Sunak.
Mr. Sunak also promised to enhance defense spending by roughly £5 billion ($6 billion) over the following two years to tackle challenges from adversarial governments as part of his visit to the United States.
After Announcement
Since its announcement in September 2021, China has constantly criticized the security alliance. Last week, Beijing’s foreign ministry repeated its stance that the accord ran the risk of sparking an arms race.
Yet, the three Western nations assert that the Indo-Pacific region’s stability is the goal of the security agreement.
Despite the fact that all three leaders have emphasized how the agreement will improve their cooperation, there have been some political consequences.
Australia’s relationship with China, which is its greatest commercial partner, is also complex diplomatically. The key, according to analysts, will be whether it can maintain and even deepen its military ties with the United states while strengthening trade relations with China.
Do follow – Rishi Sunak: China represents challenge to world order – BBC News
