By Mohamad Hojeije | Staff Writer
After a trilateral meeting, U.S. President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, gathered on this March 13th in San Diego to reveal the details of the new AUKUS deal. Set to cost more than $300 billion, the AUKUS deal could be the most significant military defense project in Australian history.
Primarily, the deal will provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines that could be navigating Australian water as soon as 2027. The new nuclear-powered submarines are expected to have greater range and speed compared to the current diesel-engine fleet of the country. This would allow Australia to launch long-distance attacks against its enemies. As part of the agreement, Australian Navy personnel will be trained on the use of the nuclear-powered submarines at bases in the U.S. and U.K., beginning this year.
The deal that was signed in September 2021 aims to counter the growing Chinese influence – and militarization – in the Indo-Pacific. The project also includes cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and additional undersea capabilities. Yet, it extends beyond the naval force, including Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles, continuing collaboration with the U.S. in developing hypersonic missiles for the Australian Airforce, and precision missiles for the army, which are capable of destroying, neutralizing, and suppressing several kinds of targets from a distance of over 400km.
Prominent Australian figures such as the former Defense Minister of Australia, Peter Dutton, and journalist Peter Cronau responded negatively, citing the enormous cost and future impacts on the Australian economy. Citizens online are concerned the deal ultimately benefits the U.S. rather than Australia.
The Chinese government responded as well. Beijing’s foreign ministry accused the three states of “walking further and further down the path of error and danger,” condemning them of acting in a “Cold-War mentality.” Russia and France are also against the deal, thus involving all five countries of the U.N. Security Council. Since 2021 there was already friction between Canberra and Paris as Australia swiftly canceled an agreement with France over diesel-powered submarines.