After the snub inflicted on France with the cancellation of the mega-contract on the purchase of submarines from France, Australia has officially embarked on a highly contested program to equip itself with nuclear-powered submarines as part of a new defense alliance with Britain and the United States.
Defense Minister Peter Dutton signed an agreement with British and American diplomats authorizing the exchange of "information on naval nuclear propulsion" between their countries.
This is the first agreement signed and made public since the three countries announced in September their new defense alliance, called AUKUS, to deal with growing strategic tensions between the United States and China in the Pacific.
This alliance was accompanied by the cancellation by Australia of a mega-contract for the purchase of twelve French submarines with conventional propulsion for a value of 55 billion euros, causing a lasting quarrel between Paris and Canberra and tensions with the United States.
Emmanuel Macron had even publicly accused the Australian Prime Minister of having deliberately lied in this matter.
Eight submarines
Regarding this agreement.
It should allow Australia to complete an 18-month study on the acquisition of submarines, explained Peter Dutton.
Details of the acquisition have yet to be decided, including whether Australia will opt for US or UK nuclear-powered attack submarines.
"With the access to information afforded by this agreement, as well as the decades of experience of our UK and US partners in nuclear-powered submarines, Australia will also be in a position to be a responsible manager. and reliable of this technology, ”added Peter Dutton.
Ahead of the signing ceremony, US President Joe Biden said in a memorandum approving the deal that it would improve the "mutual defense position" of the three countries.
Under the AUKUS deal, Australia is to acquire eight state-of-the-art nuclear-powered submarines capable of long-range stealth missions.
It also provides for the sharing of unspecified cybernetic, artificial intelligence, quantum and underwater capabilities.
However, this alliance is very badly perceived by China which warned about an agreement which it considers "extremely irresponsible" and which could call into question the stability in this region.
