The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia have signed a historic deal to bolster Australia's defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. Dubbed AUKUS, the trilateral partnership was formalized with the U.K. in an event in San Diego. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese were in attendance.
The agreement includes the United States. By the early 2030s, Australia would provide at least three nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarines to Australia along with enhanced training and rotational submarine patrols. The parties will also work together to help Australia build its own nuclear-powered submarine. Australia will purchase the submarines from the U.S. and the U.K. The end of the 2030s will build a nuclear-powered submarine. Australia will also expand infrastructure at a Naval Base and build a new shipyard.
The AUKUS Partnership has drawn criticism from China, who claims it violates the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Australia is committed to never acquire nuclear weapons nor enrich uranium nor construct facilities necessary to acquire nuclear weapons, and the nuclear fuel provided to Canberra will be distributed in power units that will not need refueling.
The deal has been heralded as a major step forward for regional security as it ties together the U.S. U.K. and U.K. In a unified effort to protect freedom, human rights and the rule of law with Australia we must act with Australia. President Biden is also seeking a call with Chinese President Xi Jinping to ease tensions over the agreement, with national security adviser Jake Sullivan describing it as "the glue holding this new partnership together.