IRMO Brief 12/2021, "AUKUS Security Pact: Setting the Rivalry with China in the Indo-Pacific"

Introduction

‍The announcement of the trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, known by the acronym AUKUS, intended to enhance cooperation between the three countries in the Indo-Pacific region in defense and security, has sent shockwaves throughout the world, especially in China and Europe. The key element of the AUKUS pact, signed on 15th September 2021, is the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines from the US and the UK for the Royal Navy of Australia. The nuclear fueled submarines will be armed by conventional weapons, the number of acquired vessels will be at least eight, and as a typically Australian request, part of the vessels will be constructed in Australia’s naval shipyards. So far, the US, the UK, Russia, China, France and India are the only six countries that have commissioned nuclear-powered submarines.

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