Global InformationAUKUS information
Trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States | |
 | |
 Member states shown in dark green | |
| Abbreviation | AUKUS |
|---|---|
| Formation | 15 September 2021 |
| Type | Military technology partnership |
| Purpose | Collective security |
Region | Indo-Pacific |
Membership |
|
AUKUS (/ˈɔːkəs/ AW-kəs), also styled as 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,[1][2] the partnership involves the US and the UK assisting Australia in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines.[3] 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.[3][4] The partnership will focus on military capability, distinguishing it from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance that also includes New Zealand and Canada.[5]
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".[6] 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.[7] The government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) said the partnership risked "severely damaging regional peace" and had a "cold-war mentality",[8] as the partnership was widely seen as being, at least in part, a response to China's status as an increasingly assertive emerging superpower.[9]
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"[10] following Australia's cancellation of the deal worth €56 billion (A$90 billion) without notice,[11][12][13] ending recent efforts to develop a deeper strategic partnership between France and Australia.[14][15][16] 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.[17][18]
- ^ Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson; President of the United States of America Joseph R. Biden (16 September 2021). "Joint Leaders Statement on AUKUS". Prime Minister of Australia (Press release). Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ Ward, Alexander; McLeary, Paul. "Biden announces joint deal with U.K. and Australia to counter China". Politico. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ a b Prime Minister; Minister for Defence; Minister for Foreign Affairs; Minister for Women (16 September 2021). "Australia to pursue Nuclear-powered Submarines through new Trilateral Enhanced Security Partnership". Prime Minister of Australia (Press release). Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
FactSheetwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Aukus: China denounces US-UK-Australia pact as irresponsible". BBC News. 16 September 2021. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ Shoebridge, Michael (24 November 2021). "Why Did AUKUS Happen? Because the World Changed". The International Centre for Defence and Security. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ Daniel, Hurst (8 April 2022). "Caroline Kennedy praises Australia's bipartisan foreign policy despite PM's claims on Labor and China". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ "Aukus: China denounces US-UK-Australia pact as irresponsible". BBC News. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- ^ Cranston, Michael (21 November 2021). "AUKUS causing Xi 'heartburn', says White House". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Aukus: UK, US and Australia launch pact to counter China". BBC News. 16 September 2021. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ Peifer, Douglas (21 September 2021). "French Anger over the AUKUS Trilateral Security Partnership Explained". Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs. Air University Press. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ Marlowe, Lara (17 September 2021). "France recalls ambassadors from US, Australia over submarine deal". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ Shields, Bevan (18 September 2021). "France recalls its ambassadors to Australia and United States amid submarine fury". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- ^ Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian; Minister for the Armed Forces of France Florence Parly; Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women of Australia Marise Payne; Minister for Defence of Australia Peter Dutton (30 August 2021). "Inaugural Australia-France 2+2 Ministerial Consultations". Department of Defence Ministers (Press release). Archived from the original on 25 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ Prime Minister of Australia; President of France (2 May 2018). "Vision Statement on the Australia-France Relationship by the Honourable Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister Of The Commonwealth Of Australia and His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic". Prime Minister of Australia (Press release). Archived from the original on 23 August 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ Willsher, Kim (18 September 2021). "Aukus: France's ambassador recall is 'tip of the iceberg', say analysts". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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