(ANSA) - SYDNEY, NOV 22 - Australia officially started today the disputed program to equip itself with nuclear powered submarine as part of a new defense alliance with the United Kingdom and the United States. Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton has signed an agreement with British and American diplomats authorizing the exchange of "naval nuclear propulsion information" between their countries.
This is the first agreement signed and made public since the announcement by the three countries in September of their new defense alliance called Aukus to address the growing strategic tensions between the United States and China in the Pacific.
This alliance was accompanied by Australia's cancellation of a mega-contract for the purchase of 12 French conventional-propelled submarines for AU $ 90 billion (€ 55 billion), causing a tough dispute between Paris and Canberra.
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