The US, UK, and Australia are set to begin talks on bringing new members into their AUKUS security pact, with a focus on involving Japan as a deterrent against China. The defence ministers of the countries will announce discussions on “Pillar Two” of the pact, which includes commitments to jointly develop quantum computing, undersea, hypersonic, artificial intelligence, and cyber technology. However, they are not considering expanding the first pillar, which involves delivering nuclear-powered attack submarines to Australia. AUKUS was formed in 2021 as part of efforts to push back against China’s growing power in the Indo-Pacific region, with China warning that the pact could trigger a regional arms race.
US President Joe Biden has been seeking to strengthen partnerships with US allies in Asia amid China’s increasing military capabilities and territorial assertiveness. The US ambassador in Tokyo, Rahm Emanuel, has suggested that Japan will become the first additional Pillar II partner in the AUKUS pact. While no details have been provided, a senior US administration official mentioned that an announcement regarding Japan’s involvement could be expected in the coming week. It is likely that President Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will discuss expanding AUKUS to include Japan during their meeting in Washington.
Australia, however, is cautious about starting new projects until more progress is made on supplying Canberra with nuclear-powered submarines. Despite the potential expansion of AUKUS to include Japan, Australia’s source mentioned that progress on the primary pillar of delivering submarines is still a priority. As the three countries continue to navigate their security arrangements and cooperation in the region, concerns about China’s influence and actions remain at the forefront. The AUKUS pact reflects the broader efforts by the US and its allies to counterbalance China’s growing power and assertiveness in the region through technological advancements and strategic partnerships.
