Australia, Britain, and the United States have announced a new trilateral security partnership called “Ankus” on Wednesday to deepen diplomatic, security, and defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The endeavor we launch today will help sustain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” said a joint statement on the formation of a trilateral defense partnership.
The new trilateral security partnership was announced in a virtual meeting between US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Three leaders said in a joint announcement that the Trilateral security partnership called “AUKUS” will allow the countries to share technology covering cyber security, artificial intelligence, underwater systems, and long-range strike capabilities.
“Our nations and our brave fighting forces have stood shoulder to shoulder for literally more than 100 years,” Biden said. “Through the trench fighting in World War I, the island hopping in World War II, during the frigid winters in Korea and the scorching heat of the Persian Gulf, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom have long been faithful and capable partners, and we’re even closer today.”
“Today, we join our nations in the next generation partnership, built on a strong foundation of proven trust,” Scott Morrison, Australian Prime Minister said on Thursday.
“We have always seen the world through a similar lens. We have always believed in a world that favors freedom, that respects human dignity, the rule of law, the independence of sovereign states, and the peaceful fellowship of nations.”
Johnson, speaking from Downing Street, said the pact aimed to “preserve security and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” as well as generate jobs across Britain.
“Through AUKUS, our governments will strengthen the ability of each to support our security and defense interests, building on our longstanding and ongoing bilateral ties. We will promote deeper information and technology sharing. We will foster deeper integration of security and defense-related science, technology, industrial bases, and supply chains. And in particular, we will significantly deepen cooperation on a range of security and defense capabilities, “ said in a joint statement.
“As the first initiative under AUKUS, recognizing our common tradition as maritime democracies, we commit to a shared ambition to support Australia in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy. Today, we embark on a trilateral effort of 18 months to seek an optimal pathway to deliver this capability. We will leverage expertise from the United States and the United Kingdom, building on the two countries’ submarine programs to bring an Australian capability into service at the earliest achievable date,” the statement continued.
The development of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines would be a joint endeavor between the three nations, with a focus on interoperability, commonality, and mutual benefit, said the joint statement.
According to the statement, Australia is committed to adhering to the highest standards for safeguards, transparency, verification, and accountancy measures to ensure the non-proliferation, safety, and security of nuclear material and technology. Australia remains committed to fulfilling all of its obligations as a non-nuclear weapons state, including with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Our three nations are deeply committed to upholding our leadership on global non-proliferation.
“Recognizing our deep defense ties, built over decades, today we also embark on further trilateral collaboration under AUKUS to enhance our joint capabilities and interoperability. These initial efforts will focus on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and additional undersea capabilities, said the joint statement.
“The endeavor launched Wednesday will help sustain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, “said three countries.
The statement said “for more than 70 years, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, have worked together, along with other important allies and partners, to protect our shared values and promote security and prosperity.”
With the formation of AUKUS, three countries recommit themself to this vision.
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