Is AUKUS an awkward name for a hawkish problem?

AUKUS remains the cornerstone for Australia, U.S., and British security in the Indo-Pacific region

 
AUKUS may be an awkward name but this security pact has become the cornerstone for the U.S., Britain and Australia’s Indo-Pacific strategy.

However, like all trios, there are always competing priorities.

The alliance centres around efforts to support Australia acquiring conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

It is Australia’s largest jump in military capability since the end of World War Two.

Australian taxpayers will be footing the bill for $368 billion in spending over the next 30 years.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the deal strengthens national security in the region.

“The AUKUS agreement we confirm here in San Diego represents the biggest single investment in Australia’s defence capability in all of our history, strengthening Australia’s national security and stability in our region, building a future made in Australia with record investments in skills, jobs and infrastructure, and delivering a superior defence capability into the future.”

The AUKUS partners have remained focussed on equipping Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. However, there have been questions around further scope for engagement.

These areas may include artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cyber tech, and hypersonics.

“We’re simply focused on making sure that (Australia) can get nuclear-powered submarines,”said U.S. National Security Spokesperson John Kirby in an interview with CTV News.

“There really aren’t discussions right now or plans to modify the AUKUS arrangement in the future,” he said.

AUKUS has drawn condemnation from China.

A recent article published in the China Daily, an English-language newspaper owned by the Chinese Communist Party, raised concerns about the so-called “Cold War mentality”.

“If it keeps going like this, the security and stability in the region will be threatened,” wrote Ruan Zongze.