In recent news, the leaders of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States came together to form a trilateral security partnership called AUKUS. The partnership aims to bolster Australia’s naval power in the Indo-Pacific region and challenge China’s regional hegemonic ambitions. The main focus of the partnership is to help Australia acquire conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines, and it also includes cooperation on advanced technologies.
AUKUS Partnership
The AUKUS partnership is a new trilateral security partnership for the Indo-Pacific, between Australia, the UK and the US. Under the pact, the US and the UK will help Australia to acquire conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines. The pact also includes cooperation on advanced cyber, artificial intelligence and autonomy, quantum technologies, undersea capabilities, hypersonic and counter-hypersonic, electronic warfare, innovation and information sharing.
Significance of AUKUS
The AUKUS partnership is significant because it aims to maintain freedom and openness in the Indo-Pacific region, including the South China Sea. It is seen as a challenge to China’s regional hegemonic ambitions and will lead to closer military coordination among the participating nations in the region. It is expected that the operationalisation of this security partnership will boost Australia’s naval power in the Indo-Pacific region.
Challenges
Despite the potential benefits of the AUKUS partnership, there are some challenges that need to be addressed. Many regional partners, such as Indonesia, oppose Australia operating nuclear attack submarines.
Some U.S. policymakers are sceptical about the sale of Virginia class submarines, which are among the world’s most potent in terms of capabilities. The integration of three different systems could prove difficult, and the U.S.’s stringent export control and protocol regime could spoil the technology transfer agreement, particularly in areas related to undersea capabilities and electronic warfare.
Implications for India
The AUKUS partnership could have implications for India. India could obtain a better deal from the French, who are aggrieved because of Australia cancelling its submarine order. The submarines could also present India with a huge opportunity for coordination during joint military exercises. However, there is also a possibility of crowding of nuclear attack submarines in the Eastern Indian Ocean, which could erode India’s regional pre-eminence.
MCQs on A New Trilateral Security Partnership for the Indo-Pacific
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What is the aim of the AUKUS partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US?
A. To challenge China’s regional hegemonic ambitions and maintain freedom and openness in the Indo-Pacific region
B. To establish a new trade agreement among the three nations
C. To create a new military alliance to counter Russia’s aggression in Europe
D. To form a joint task force to combat terrorism in the Middle East
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Which country could potentially offer a better deal to India than the AUKUS partnership?
A. United Kingdom
B. United States
C. Australia
D. France
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Which of the following is a challenge presented by the AUKUS partnership?
A. Lack of regional partners’ support
B. Integration of three different systems
C. U.S.’s export control and protocol regime
D. All of the above
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What is the main objective of the AUKUS partnership?
A. To strengthen Australia’s naval power in the Indo-Pacific region as a challenge to China’s regional hegemonic ambitions
B. To maintain peace in the Middle East
C. To promote economic growth in the Indo-Pacific region
D. To address climate change in the South Pacific
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