U.S., Britain, Australia weigh expanding AUKUS security pact to deter China

  • April 8, 2024
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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U.S., Britain, Australia weigh expanding AUKUS security pact to deter China

Subject: IR

Section: Int Grouping

Context:

  • The U.S., Britain, and Australia plan to start discussions on including new members into their AUKUS security pact, with an emphasis on Japan joining as a countermeasure against China.

Details:

  • The Defense Ministers of these countries will focus on expanding “Pillar Two” of AUKUS, which involves joint development in areas like quantum computing, undersea technologies, hypersonics, artificial intelligence, and cyber technology.
  • There is no intention to extend the first pillar of AUKUS, which centres on providing nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.

About the AUKUS security pact:

  • The AUKUS alliance, established in 2021,aims to counteract China’s rising influence in the Indo-Pacific. China has criticized AUKUS, suggesting it could trigger a regional arms race.
  • Present members:  Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States.
  • The trilateral partnership, which builds on their decades-long security cooperation, has two pillars.
    • Pillar I revolves around the acquisition and development of conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy;
    • Pillar II calls for collaboration on advanced capabilities that will involve technology and information sharing;
  • U.S. President Joe Biden is intensifying alliances with Asian allies, such as Japan and the Philippines, in response to China’s military expansion and territorial ambitions.

Source: TH

AUKUS security pact to deter China IR