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● AUKUS, QUAD ..AUKUS - 2021-9-15 ..
AUKUS, is a trilateral security partnership for the
Indo-Pacific region between
Australia, the
United Kingdom, and the
United States. Announced on 15 September 2021, the partnership involves the US and the UK assisting Australia in acquiring
nuclear-powered submarines. The partnership also includes cooperation on advanced
cyber mechanisms,
artificial intelligence and autonomy,
quantum technologies, undersea capabilities,
hypersonic and
counter-hypersonic,
electronic warfare, innovation and information sharing. The partnership will focus on military capability, distinguishing it from the
Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance that also includes
New Zealand and
Canada.
The International Centre for Defence and Security called the partnership "a powerful statement about the priority of the Indo-Pacific" and as a statement "that the larger institutional groupings aren't acting with the common purpose and speed that the current strategic and technological environment demands". The
US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy called the partnership a "greater and deeper partnership" between the countries and said that it would provide a "lot of deterrence" in the Indo-Pacific. The government of the
People's Republic of China (PRC) was vocal in its contempt of the partnership, accusing the three western countries of having a "
cold-war mentality", as the partnership was widely seen as being, at least in part, a response to China's status as an increasingly assertive
emerging superpower.
The creation of the partnership spelled the end of a
French–Australian submarine deal. On 17 September 2021, France recalled its ambassadors from Australia and the US; French foreign minister
Jean-Yves Le Drian called the partnership a "stab in the back" following Australia's cancellation of the deal worth €56 billion (
A$90 billion) without notice, ending recent efforts to develop a deeper strategic partnership between France and Australia. Following the ousting of
Scott Morrison's government after the
2022 Australian federal election, the new
Labor government led by Prime Minister
Anthony Albanese agreed to a €555 million (US$584 million) settlement with French defence contractor
Naval Group. In response, French defence minister Lecornu said that France aims to rebuild its relationship with Australia. In addition, Albanese announced plans to travel to France to reset bilateral relations between the two countries.
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