Australia Purchases 3 US Nuclear Submarines Amid China’s Backlash... Strengthening 'AUKUS'

"Purchase up to 5 ships if necessary" Strengthening public deterrence
China strongly opposes "NPT violation"

Leaders of the AUKUS alliance, a security consultation body composed of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia aimed at countering China, gathered in one place to officially announce Australia's plan for the early supply of nuclear-powered submarines. As Australia is expected to emerge as the world's seventh nuclear submarine power from the 2030s, significantly enhancing its military capabilities, the Chinese government has strongly opposed the move, claiming it violates the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

U.S. President Joe Biden (center), Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left), and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (right) held a joint press conference after the AUKUS summit (AUKUS: a security pact among Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to counter China) at the Point Loma Naval Base in San Diego, California, on the 13th (local time). San Diego= AP·Yonhap News Photo by AP

According to the Associated Press on the 13th (local time), U.S. President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held an AUKUS summit at the Point Loma Naval Base in San Diego, California, and issued a joint statement. The main point of the statement was that Australia would receive nuclear submarines from the United States earlier than originally planned.

The three leaders stated in the joint statement, "Within this year, Australian military and civilian personnel will be deployed to train with the U.S. and UK navies; visits by U.S. nuclear-powered submarines to Australian ports will be expanded; from the early 2030s, three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines will be sold to Australia, with an option to sell two additional submarines if necessary." They further detailed Australia's nuclear submarine force acquisition schedule, saying, "The UK will deliver AUKUS-class nuclear-powered submarines to its navy in the late 2030s, and Australia will additionally receive AUKUS-class nuclear-powered submarines for its navy in the early 2040s."

President Joe Biden said at a joint press conference following the AUKUS summit, "We stand at a historic turning point that could affect peace for decades to come," and added, "Today, we announce measures to carry out the first project under AUKUS." He emphasized, "The United States will sell three Virginia-class submarines to Australia in the early 2030s and, if necessary, will sell two more."

He also noted, "This is ten years earlier than many expected," and stated, "In a rapidly changing international situation, AUKUS's top priority is to strengthen stability in the Indo-Pacific region." He explained, "This first project is just the beginning, and there will be more partnerships to come."

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak raised his voice in criticism of adversarial countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, saying, "The challenges we have faced over the past 18 months have only grown," and added, "Russia's invasion of Ukraine, China's increasing coercive behavior, and the destabilizing actions of Iran and North Korea pose a threat that could create a world defined by risk, chaos, and division."

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed gratitude to President Biden, saying, "This is the first time in 65 years and only the second time that the United States has shared nuclear propulsion technology." He also stated, "We believe in a world where the sovereignty of all nations is respected and the dignity of every individual is upheld," indirectly criticizing China by adding, "This is a world where all countries can act according to their sovereign interests without coercion."

Meanwhile, with this announcement, Australia is expected to officially become the seventh country in the world to possess nuclear submarines in the 2030s. While Australia's military strength is anticipated to be significantly enhanced through the possession and operation of nuclear submarines, China has strongly opposed the matter, claiming it violates provisions of the NPT.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.