The three countries will join forces for a new generation of machines, called SSN-AUKUS, which will involve “significant investments”.
First a large order of American submarines by Canberra, then the launch of a new state-of-the-art submarine combining the United States, United Kingdom and Australia: Joe Biden unveiled on Monday March 13 a spectacular military program in the Peaceful. The US President, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are meeting at a naval base in San Diego to formalize this project.
“Our project strengthens for decades the industrial capacity of our three nations to produce and deploy nuclear-powered submarines, it develops our submarine presence in the Indo-Pacific and contributes to global security and stability”they assured in a joint press release.
The program will take place in three phases, the White House said in a press release, and in compliance with the principle of nuclear non-proliferation, assures the American executive. First of all, a phase of familiarization of Australia, which has no nuclear-powered submarines, nor nuclear technology, whether military or civilian, with these machines, through the training of sailors, engineers, technicians on American and British crews, as well as in shipyards and specialist schools in the United States and United Kingdom.
China criticizes ‘Cold War mentality’
In a second step, and subject to the green light of the American Congress, Australia will buy three American nuclear-powered submarines of the “Virginia” class, with an option on two additional submersible vessels. The submarines must be delivered from 2030. Finally, the third phase, the most ambitious stage of this program provides for the three countries to join forces for a new generation of attack submarines, called SSN-AUKUS. These submarines, nuclear-powered and conventionally armed, will involve a gigantic industrial effort in the three countries.
This new military partnership, very close and very ambitious, does not, however, only make people happy. The conclusion of the AUKUS alliance, with the corollary of the cancellation by Canberra of the contract for the acquisition of 12 French submarines, had given rise in 2021 to a diplomatic crisis with France, which had shouted at the “treason”. Since then, the tension has subsided between the two parties.
The indignation of France has mainly given way to criticism from China, engaged with the United States in a fierce economic and strategic rivalry. “We call on the United States, Britain and Australia to abandon the Cold War mentality and zero-sum games” and to “do more things to encourage regional peace and stability”Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry, had said ahead of Monday’s announcements.