Australia is set to acquire up to five American-made Virginia class nuclear submarines in the 2030's as part of a significant defense partnership between the United States, Australia, and the UK, as reported by Reuters. This transaction could create a new obstacle for China.
The AUKUS pact is an agreement that has a few stages. Shortly, a U.S. submarine will be making visits to ports in Australia. The pact will then end in the late 2030s with the construction of a new type of submarine using British designs and American technology.
Joe Biden is gathering the leaders of Australia and the UK in San Diego on Monday to discuss how to move forward with providing Australia with nuclear-powered submarines and advanced military technology.
China has strongly criticized the actions of the Western nations aiming to limit the country's armed forces, push back against its control over Taiwan, and its increasingly aggressive moves in the highly disputed South China Sea.
The US intends to station some submarines in Western Australia in the future, to reach this milestone in or around 2027, according to two people who asked to remain anonymous.
By the early 2030s, Australia would be in possession of three submarines of the Virginia class and have the choice to purchase two additional vessels of the same type. AUKUS is set to be an unprecedented defense endeavor for Australia, with the prospect of bringing employment opportunities to all three countries involved.
Also read: Australia Will Build a Fleet of Submarines Powered by US Nuclear Tech
The AUKUS
The initiative is seen as a major move by the US, Australia, and the UK to contain China's growing regional influence. This defense initiative is a response to China's increasingly assertive actions in the South China Sea, as well as its aggressive military build-up in the region.
The AUKUS initiative would involve the US, Australia, and the UK coordinating their defense operations and pooling their resources to increase their presence in the region. This would include the deployment of submarines, warships, and surveillance aircraft to enforce freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
The initiative is also expected to include closer intelligence sharing between the three countries and the sharing of expertise and technology to help them better monitor and respond to Chinese activity in the region.
The AUKUS initiative is still in its early stages, but it is likely to become a major factor in the defense landscape of the region in the coming years. It is a sign of the increasing tensions between the US and China and how the US, Australia, and the UK are attempting to contain China's growing influence in the region. What do you think of this?
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