The US has recently made news with the announcement of a novel three-sided security partnership for the Indo-Pacific. Encompassing Australia, the UK, and the US itself, this alliance – aptly named AUKUS – has raised eyebrows due to its primary arrangement: the sharing of US nuclear submarine technology with Australia.
Focus on the Indo-Pacific
A key objective of the AUKUS security grouping is to promote strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region. Despite US assurances that this grouping does not target China specifically, its focus on the Indo-Pacific suggests that AUKUS serves as a deterrent to China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea.
In addition to the AUKUS group, the three nations along with Canada and New Zealand also participate in the Five Eyes alliance, a more extensive intelligence-sharing agreement.
Transference of Nuclear Submarines to Australia
A major aspect of AUKUS involves Australia receiving nuclear-powered submarines, facilitated by the technological aid of the US and the UK. This move carries weight due to the fact that the US has only ever shared nuclear submarine technology once before – with Great Britain back in 1958.
Nuclear submarines are quieter than conventional ones, can be deployed for more extended periods, and require less frequent surfacing. The Indian government’s expression of interest in acquiring additional nuclear-powered submarines could lead to significant enhancements in anti-submarine warfare capabilities for Quad, a consortium of India, USA, Australia, and Japan.
Australia now stands at the threshold of joining an exclusive club, currently consisting of India, the US, the UK, France, Russia, and China, all of which operate nuclear-powered submarines. Interestingly, Australia would be the only member of this group without a civilian nuclear power industry.
A More Holistic Approach: Multi-Sectoral Cooperation
Beyond the security implications of submarine technology transfer, AUKUS will see an increase of meetings and engagements between the three member nations. It will also lay the groundwork for collaborative efforts across various emerging technologies. Areas expected to benefit from this cooperation include applied AI, quantum technologies, and undersea capabilities.
The Five Eye Alliance: A Brief Overview
The Five Eyes alliance is a significant player in the current geopolitical landscape. This intelligence-sharing agreement brings together five English-speaking democracies: the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Born out of the tumult of the Cold War (1946-1991) – a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, and their respective allies – the alliance was initially designed to share sensitive information regarding potential threat sources across all possible fronts. The Five Eyes alliance is often lauded as the most successful intelligence alliance globally.