The AUKUS defence pact will embrace cooperation with South Korea, New Zealand and Canada on advanced technology projects as part of a new pillar in the alliance.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the leaders of the US and Britain issued a joint statement today to mark the agreement’s third anniversary by announcing more countries could be involved, as geopolitical tensions in the Asia Pacific region remain high.
Under pillar one of the agreement, Australia will spend up to $368 billion by 2055 to build, with UK and US technological assistance, a new fleet of eight nuclear-propelled submarines in Adelaide to enter service in the 2040s.
The AUKUS founders earlier this year flagged co-operation with Japan, which has extensive deep sea technology experience, and today said there could be involvement with other nations.
“Recognising these countries’ close bilateral defence partnerships with each member of AUKUS, we are consulting with Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea to identify possibilities for collaboration on advanced capabilities under AUKUS Pillar II,” the leaders said.
Pillar two of the deal is about sharing and developing advanced military technology, such as hypersonic missiles, undersea capabilities and artificial intelligence. It also has a Indo-Pacific focus aimed to deter Chinese assertiveness in the region.
The AUKUS agreement was first announced in September 2021 and has the aim of maintaining a “free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and stable”.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to the US this weekend for a meeting of leaders from the Quad alliance nations – Australia, the US, India and Japan.
He is expected to discuss progress in Australia acquiring American-built Virginia-class nuclear powered submarines with US President Joe Biden.
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