US leaders Joe Biden, Britain’s Rishi Sunak and Australia’s Anthony Albanese will meet in the United States on Monday for an Aukus alliance summit, London announced Wednesday, as a deal is reached to build nuclear-powered submarines.
Earlier Wednesday, Anthony Albanese had indicated that he would soon meet Joe Biden in the United States, without specifying the date. After 18 months of deliberations, Australia is ready to unveil plans to acquire eight nuclear-powered submarines, in what Australia’s prime minister called the “greatest leap forward” in the country’s defense history.
Deep opposition from China
For a year and a half, extensive behind-the-scenes discussions have been taking place between Washington, Canberra and London over Australia’s procurement of sensitive nuclear propulsion technologies. Australia has ruled out acquiring nuclear weapons. It is the first time US nuclear submarine technology has been exported since the 1960s, when the United States helped Britain design its own submarines.
The submarine contract is worth tens of billions of US dollars, but experts say its importance goes beyond the jobs created and investment promised. Nuclear-powered submarines are difficult to detect, can travel great distances for long periods of time, and can carry sophisticated cruise missiles.
Beijing has expressed its deep opposition to this project, which it considers “dangerous” and which seeks to corner China. Aukus is a tripartite military alliance made up of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States that aims to share military technology and other advances.
However, major questions remain about the Australian project, including whether Canberra plans to buy American or British submarines, where they will be built and when they will be launched.
The conclusion of the Aukus alliance, with the corollary of Canberra’s cancellation of the contract for the acquisition of 12 French submarines, had given rise to a diplomatic crisis with France.
Source: BFM TV
