The AUKUS Pact is a security alliance in the Asia-Pacific region, co-operated by Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America (USA). It commits Washington and London to provide Canberra with nuclear submarines. [1]
This pact has a critical function in global and regional terms, both due to its establishment and the impact it has had since its establishment. This was personally announced by US President Joe Biden on 15 September 2021. The announcement was made at a press conference at the White House[2] The then British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the then Australian Prime Minister Scott Morisson also attended this press conference. [3]
The Pact provides for Washington and London to provide Canberra with nuclear-powered submarines.[4] Moreover, it is believed that this pact serves both to contain China and to increase the US military influence in the region. Moreover, in today’s conjuncture where global security equations are beginning to be read through the Asia-Pacific, it can be said that this alliance basically aims to contain China and restrict Beijing’s activities in the South China Sea. Considering that North Korea is also a significant military threat in this region, it can be argued that this cooperation has created an area of operation and influence for the West and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
It can be said that China aims to establish good relations with Australia. On the other hand, the US strategy of encircling China is progressing at full speed. Recently, China initiated security talks with Japan. Now, it is likely to make efforts to keep its dialogue open with Australia in a similar manner. Some signals about this have also begun to be received.
As a matter of fact, it is observed that the knots in Beijing-Canberra relations have started to untie in recent months. So much so that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is taking steps to improve relations with China and is trying to strengthen the mutual steps taken to re-strengthen commercial ties. Although China did not completely remove trade barriers, it held talks on coal imports. While trade embargoes have been lifted, Australia’s deep re-engagement with the Western Bloc is a negative development for China.
In fact, there is no new initiative on the AUKUS. Only with the leaders’ meeting, the alliance’s co-operation is being deepened. This can be read as a strong message from the US that it will continue to encircle China rapidly. China’s neighbours in the Asia-Pacific are now strongly committed to US alliances. It can be said that Beijing aims to conduct a strong diplomacy to reverse this momentum. In this context, China is reviewing its relations with actors such as Japan, Australia, the Philippines and India. This is because these countries are included in the American axis.
India, on the other hand, continues to produce 6 nuclear submarines with a 95% indigenisation rate. The first batch of 3 indigenous submarines is planned to be launched in 2032. In the meantime, India plans to fulfil its need for nuclear submarines by leasing or purchasing them from Russia. [5] It has also agreed to co-operate with France in conventional submarine technology.
For a long time, India did not receive Western support in this field. Due to New Delhi’s dependence on Moscow in the defence industry, the US and the UK continued to have prejudices, reservations and distrust of India. Indeed, the sharing of critical technologies is seen as a matter of national security. In this regard, Russia has indicated that it is always ready to fill the shoes of the West, which has not provided enough support to India in nuclear submarines. For example, Russia has readily agreed to replace the nuclear submarines whose lease expires in 2021. Russia is expected to support India in this area for the next 10 years.
Against this backdrop, it is noteworthy that the AUKUS countries have turned towards sharing nuclear technology with India. The West has not yet lost the opportunity to co-operate with New Delhi. Even if the US and the UK are not directly involved in sharing with India, Australia can transfer its technological know-how to India, which it has acquired through the AUKUS. Normally, Russia is concerned about losing the Indian defence market to actors such as the US and the UK. However, it would not be a major problem for regional actors to cooperate with India in the field of know-how.
In conclusion, it can be said that the AUKUS was able to quickly recognise both regional and global opportunities and then took action. It can be predicted that regional tensions will continue to increase due to the proactive policies of the AUKUS.
[1] “What Is The Aukus Alliance And What Are Its İmplications?”, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/16/what-is-the-aukus-alliance-and-what-are-its-implications, (Erişim Tarihi: 23.03.2023).
[2] “Joint Leaders Statement on AUKUS”, The White House, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/09/15/joint-leaders-statement-on-aukus/, (Erişim Tarihi: 14.04.2023).
[3] “Aukus Partnership Will Complement and Not Sideline Quad”, The Phonom Penh Post, https://www.phnompenhpost.com/opinion/aukus-partnership-will-complement-and-not-sideline-quad, (Erişim Tarihi: 14.04.2023).
[4] “Aukus Deal: US, UK and Australia Agree on Nuclear Submarine Project”, British Broadcasting Company, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-64945819, (Erişim Tarihi: 14.04.2023).
[5] “Back India, AUKUS Explore Tech Cooperation Possibilities”, Mint, https://www.livemint.com/news/world/india-aukus-explore-tech-cooperation-possibilities-11678899129642.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 14.04.2023).
