Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed his appreciation for the United States Congress for approving the sale of nuclear submarines to another country for the first time. This decision has facilitated the progress of the AUKUS defense partnership between Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. More than two-thirds of the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of a defense policy bill on December 14, 2023, authorizing an annual $886 billion military expenditure, aid to Ukraine, and efforts to counter China.
“This is an extraordinary achievement,” Albanese said in a statement on December 15, 2023, adding that he had met with more than 100 US lawmakers to support the AUKUS provisions. Albanese used the following statements:
“Passing this law; It means allowing AUKUS to proceed and giving Australia access to the crucial nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarines. This will be crucial to Australia’s national security.”
AUKUS, which aims to develop nuclear-powered submarines and other high-tech weapons, is Australia’s $244 billion and 30-year defense project. However, US Senate approval is needed to share sensitive technology. Canberra aims to procure nuclear-powered submarines in the early 2030s to prevent this gap that will occur when the current Collins-class diesel-electric fleet expires. Albanese went to Washington in October and tried to support the bill necessary for its passage this year.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said in an interview with Sky News television on December 15, 2023, “This is the first case in US history where Congress authorized the sale of nuclear-powered submarines.” Marles said that this legal regulation allows Australians to work in nuclear activities in the USA. Marles also said that this decision allows Canberra to continue the maintenance of US-made nuclear submarines in Australia.
Most importantly, Marles emphasized that this legislation exempted Australia from U.S. defense export control regulations, stating, “This is really the outcome we desire. So, Australia is creating an uninterrupted defense industrial base with the United States.”
Albanese’s efforts to engage with over 100 U.S. Congress members to contribute to the passage of the legislation highlight the strategic significance of the AUKUS defense partnership. Diplomatic contacts have been crucial in fostering cooperation between the three countries and enhancing defense capabilities.
AUKUS represents a historic defense project for Australia. With a budget of $244 billion, the project encompasses the development of high-tech weapon systems, aiming to reduce technological dependence on the United States and enhance defense capabilities.
The U.S. move can be seen as part of the competition with China. This defense policy bill includes strategic steps to increase competition with China, and it has the potential to impact the balance in the Asia-Pacific region.
As Defense Minister Marles emphasized, the legislation allows Australia to create a seamless defense industrial base with the United States. This reflects an approach that aims to promote economic and technological development while serving strategic security needs.
Nuclear submarines not only serve defense purposes but also have significant implications for energy policies. This encompasses societal acceptance, political support, and environmental concerns.
In conclusion, the AUKUS defense partnership encompasses strategic, diplomatic, technological, and economic dimensions. The nuclear submarine agreement also represents the beginning of a new era in international relations and security policies.
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• AUKUS represents a historic defense project for Australia.
