The AUKUS Pact is a cooperation by which the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom provide submarines with nuclear technology to Australia. As a matter of fact, within the framework of this agreement, the USA will be able to find a significant area of influence and operation in the region. It can be argued that the situation in question arouses a serious discomfort in North Korea and China. Because it is thought that the main purpose of the said union is to surround Beijing through the South China Sea.
However, it is also stated that the pact aims to deter China regarding Taiwan. Because it can be emphasized that the militarization of the region has increased and AUKUS plays an important role in this. As a matter of fact, the actions taken and the cooperation developed regarding the pact confirm the situation in question.
In this context, the meeting of US President Joe Biden with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on March 13, 2023 in San Diego is quite remarkable. At the same time, US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III and US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro also attended this meeting. In a joint statement after the meeting, the leaders underlined Australia’s plans to increase its nuclear submarines and naval power in the Asia-Pacific Region. They also stated that this was done because of the military buildup that Beijing had.
In addition to all these, it is said that the three states have agreed on the construction of a new type of submarine to be designed with different components, which will allow them to share highly sensitive technologies with Canberra.[1] This would be a first after the USA gave its support to England on nuclear submarines in 1958.
In the statements made, it was stated that the agreement in question would take place in three stages. First of all, submarines belonging to England and the USA will visit the Australian bases. Secondly, the navies of Canberra will receive training on these new types of submarines in the US and British navies. This phase aims at the specialization of Australian forces in nuclear powered submarines. In the third and final stage, Washington and London will place their own submarines in Australian ports on a rotating basis and subject to a certain order.[2] It can be argued that this will enable Australia to gain significant military influence in the region.
As a matter of fact, Australia is a regional country positioned in line with Western interests due to its membership in ANZUS, AUKUS and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD). This drags Australia to the position of an actor struggling with Beijing in the regional dimension of the global rivalry between China and the USA. Undoubtedly, Canberra needs the support of Washington and the West in this competition. In this context, the basis of the pact is the containment of China.
On the other hand, it is a matter of debate to what extent the West, and especially the USA, will share or want to share nuclear submarine technology. Because, as mentioned above, this will be a first for the USA since 1958. An important reason why Washington avoids sharing its technology for so long is the sensitivity of preventing its technology from being tracked and/or stolen by states such as China and Russia.
The expectation of Australia to purchase five Virginia-class nuclear powered submarines from the USA by 2030 is also an important example of the militarization of the region. As a matter of fact, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles stated that Canberra’s nuclear submarines will ensure peace and stability in Asia-Pacific, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, and that these submarines will have the ability to serve in war; however, the fact that the said talent’s main purpose is to ensure the stability and peace of the region[3] shows that Australia thinks that China threatens regional prosperity and peace.
At the same time, the aforementioned discourses are important in that they indicate that Canberra is not in an offensive and proactive attitude. Because it can be argued that Australia does not want to provoke Beijing with this cooperation and be targeted by China.
As a result, the Western-based alliances in which Australia is involved position Canberra against Beijing. It can be argued that this situation also works for Washington and gains a theater of operation in the Asia-Pacific via Australia. This may draw the backlash of China. Therefore, it can be predicted that the tension in the region will increase in parallel with the increase in militarization.
[1] “Biden Unveils Submarine Pact With U.K., Australia During Historic San Diego Visit The San Diego Union-Tribune”, The San Diego Union-Tribune, https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/story/2023-03-13/biden-uk-australia-san-diego-visit, (Date of Accession: 24.03.2023).
[2] Ibid.
[3] “Australia Likely to Buy Up to 5 Virginia Class Nuclear Submarines as Part of Aukus Deal”, South China Morning Post, https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3212875/australia-likely-buy-5-virginia-class-nuclear-submarines-part-aukus-deal, (Date of Accession: 24.03.2023).
