The UK, US and Australia have announced a historic security pact in the Indo-Pacific, in what\u2019s seen as an effort to counter China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It will let Australia build nuclear-powered submarines for the first time, using technology provided by the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pact, to be known as Aukus, will also cover artificial intelligence, cyber and quantum technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is the biggest defence partnership among the countries in decades, analysts say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In recent years, the Western democracies have all expressed concerns about China\u2019s growing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new partnership aimed to \u201cpromote security and prosperity\u201d in the region, said a joint statement by US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China\u2019s embassy in Washington reacted by accusing the countries of a \u201cCold War mentality and ideological prejudice\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pact means Australia has torn up a A$50bn (\u20ac31bn; \u00a327bn) deal it signed with France in 2016, to build 12 submarines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is Aukus?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It is the biggest security arrangement between the three nations since World War Two, analysts say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the US, UK and Australia have long been allies, Aukus formalises and deepens their defence co-operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The pact will focus on military capability, separating it from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance which also includes New Zealand and Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Australia\u2019s submarines is the big-ticket item, Aukus will also involve sharing of cyber capabilities, AI, quantum and other undersea technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is an historic opportunity for the three nations, with like-minded allies and partners, to protect shared values and promote security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,\u201d their joint statement read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The leaders did not refer to China directly, but said regional security challenges had \u201cgrown significantly\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s the background?<\/p>\n\n\n\n China\u2019s military build-up and increasing aggression has worried rival powers in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beijing has been accused of raising tensions in disputed territories such as the South China Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It has also invested heavily in its Coast Guard in recent years, which analysts say is effectively a de facto military fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Western nations have been wary of China\u2019s infrastructure investment on Pacific islands and controversial trade sanctions against countries like Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The US and Australia have referred to this as \u201ceconomic coercion\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why nuclear-powered submarines?<\/p>\n\n\n\n These submarines are much faster and harder to detect than conventionally powered fleets. They can stay submerged for months, travel for longer distances and also carry more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having them stationed in Australia is critical to US influence in the region, analysts say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The US is sharing its submarine technology for the first time in 50 years. It had previously only shared technology with the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Australia will become just the seventh nation in the world to operate nuclear-powered submarines, after the US, UK, France, China, India and Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Its contract with France had been hit by delays due to Canberra\u2019s requirement that several components be locally sourced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Australia has reaffirmed it has no intention of obtaining nuclear weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Analysis box by Jonathan Beale, defence correspondent<\/p>\n\n\n\n The UK Government says this is a very significant defence agreement \u2013 a point reinforced by the fact that the leaders of Britain, the United States and Australia have appeared together by video conference to announce this partnership. It also underlines the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific region to both the US and the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It will have ramifications for two other countries. First, France, a Nato ally, which had signed a deal to build a fleet of diesel electric submarines for the Australian Navy. That deal is now dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The second is China. Though British officials insist the new defence agreement is not a response to any one country, the UK Government does say it is about ensuring prosperity, security and stability in the region and supporting a peaceful \u201crules-based order\u201d. And it is no secret that Britain, the US and Australia share concerns about China\u2019s military build up in the Indo-Pacific.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s been the reaction?<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Wednesday, China\u2019s embassy spokesman in Washington said nations \u201cshould not build exclusionary blocs\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, New Zealand said it would ban Australia\u2019s submarines from its waters, in line with an existing policy on the presence of nuclear-powered submarines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her nation had not been approached to join the pact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: BBC<\/p>\n\n\n\n