The leaders of the US, the UK and Australia unveiled an ambitious multibillion-dollar plan for a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines amid growing concern about China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.
The plan, known as the Aukus pact, includes the delivery of at least three nuclear-powered submarines from the US to Australia, with the UK providing cutting-edge technology, including Rolls-Royce reactors. The submarines will be nuclear-powered, but not nuclear-armed, and will enable Australia to conduct long-range strikes against potential adversaries.
“These boats will not have any nuclear weapons of any kind of them,” he said at the ceremony held at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego.
During their joint meeting in California on Monday, the three heads of state announced that Australia would also have the choice of buying two additional nuclear submarines after the initial deal, which is set to take place in the early 2030s, according to a joint statement.
US President Joe Biden reached San Diego to join Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in celebrating the 18-month-old nuclear partnership.
In 2027, the US and UK will base a small number of nuclear submarines in Western Australia, before Canberra purchases three US-model Virginia-class submarines in the early 2030s. Following this, a new nuclear-powered submarine, named SSN-AUKUS, will be designed and built for both the UK and Australian navies.
The construction of the new submarines will create thousands of jobs in both the UK and Australia.
Australia’s decision to scrap a multi-million dollar diesel-powered submarine agreement with France in favor of the Aukus pact has caused a diplomatic rift between the two nations. Australia also faces a delicate situation with China, its largest trading partner, as it strengthens its military ties with the US while maintaining commercial ties with Beijing which has strongly criticized the pact accusing the three nations of endangering global peace and setting back nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
However, the three allies have defended the pact as a means of strengthening peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. US President Joe Biden emphasized that the submarines would not pose a threat to Australia’s commitment to being a nuclear-free country.