USA, Australia and Britain have all signed a nuclear submarine treaty against China.
The agreement was announced following the summit of the leaders of the three countries in San Diego yesterday (13.03.2023).
The agreement aims to counter ‘Chinese aggression’ in the Indo-Pacific region.
As part of the deal, the US will sell three Virginia-class submarines to Australia in the early 2030s, with the ability to sell up to two more if needed, US President Joe Biden has said.
Nuclear submarine
He further stated that this state-of-the-art nuclear powered submarine will combine British submarine technology and design with American technology.
Australia’s future “SSN-AUKUS” (nuclear submarine), will also be a state-of-the-art platform designed to utilize the best submarine technology of the three countries.
The SSN-AUKUS is based on Britain’s next-generation SSN design, while incorporating state-of-the-art American submarine technologies.
He also said that this submarine will be built and used by both Australia and Britain.
Military assistance
“The AUKUS agreement, which we are confirming here in San Diego, represents the largest single investment in Australia’s defense capability in our history,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
And British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said, “We are providing an extra £5 billion over the next two years, immediately raising our defense budget to 2.25 per cent of GDP.
This will allow us to replenish our war stocks, modernize our nuclear power plant, deliver AUKUS and strengthen our deterrence.
“Our highest priority is to continue providing military assistance to Ukraine because their security is our security.”