AUKUS: Australia, US & UK announce new security partnership

US, UK and Australia have announced the formation of AUKUS - a new trilateral security partnership for Indo-Pacific region. It was announced in a joint address by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison and US President Joe Biden with a vision for a safer and more secure Indo-Pacific. The first project of AUKUS will be to help Australia acquire a nuclear-powered conventionally-armed submarine fleet. The three heads of state reaffirmed their intention to continue to work with their allies and groupings in tandem with AUKUS, with the Quad being mentioned by Morrison and Biden. The Quad leaders - Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and US President Joe Biden will meet at the White House on the 25th of this month. Both Quad and now AUKUS are more than likely to be seen as counterweights to China's growing muscle-flexing in the Indo-Pacific region

The trio, now known by the acronym AUKUS, will make it easier for the three countries to share information and know-how in key technological areas like artificial intelligence, cyber, quantum, underwater systems, and long-range strike capabilities. “This is about investing in our greatest source of strength, our alliances and updating them to better meet the threats of today and tomorrow,” Biden said from the White House in between two monitors showing the other world leaders. “AUKUS — it sounds strange, all these acronyms, but it's a good one.”  “We must now take our partnership to a new level,” said Morrison. “We're adding a new chapter in our friendship,” Johnson added. 

Speaking at the virtual launch, Biden said that France, in particular, has already a substantial Indo-Pacific presence as a key partner and ally in strengthening the security and prosperity of the region. The US looks forward to working closely with France and other key countries as we go forward, he added. Meanwhile, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said that Australian nuclear submarines will be banned from the country's waters.