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U.S., U.K., Australia Form New Security Partnership
The United States, along with close allies Australia and the United Kingdom, announced a new trilateral security partnership known as AUKUS.
“The United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom have long been faithful and capable partners, and we’re even closer today,” said President Joe Biden:
“We’re taking another historic step to deepen and formalize cooperation among all three of our nations because we all recognize the imperative of ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific over the long term. . . .Because the future of each of our nations — and indeed the world — depends on a free and open Indo-Pacific enduring and flourishing in the decades ahead.”
AUKUS is part of the effort to enhance U.S. alliances to better meet current and future threats, said President Biden:
“It’s about connecting America’s existing allies and partners in new ways and amplifying our ability to collaborate, recognizing that there is no regional divide separating the interests of our Atlantic and Pacific partners.”
Moreover, AUKUS “is about making sure that each of us has. . .the most modern capabilities. . .to maneuver and defend against rapidly evolving threats,” explained President Biden:
“AUKUS will bring together our sailors, our scientists, and our industries to maintain and expand our edge in military capabilities and critical technologies, such as cyber, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and undersea domains.”
A key project under AUKUS will be determining the optimal pathway for Australia’s acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines for its navy. President Biden stressed that “We’ll all undertake this effort in a way that reflects the longstanding leadership in global nonproliferation and rigorous verification standards, in partnership and consultation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.”
For more than 70 years, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, have worked together, along with other allies and partners, to protect shared values and promote security and prosperity. The launch of AUKUS is an important step toward accomplishing those goals in the Indo-Pacific region.