US, UK and Australia launch Indo-Pacific security pact to counter China

As per reports, the historic security pact includes a joint effort to help the Australian military acquire nuclear-powered submarines, using technology provided by the US.

The pact, to be known as ‘Aukus’ will also cover artificial intelligence, cyber and quantum technologies.

“It is the biggest defense partnership among the countries in decades,” analysts said, terming it biggest security arrangement between the three nations since ‘World war two’.

A joint statement issued by US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison said that the new partnership aimed to promote security and prosperity in the region.

"This is an historic opportunity for the three nations, with like-minded allies and partners, to protect shared values and promote security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region," joint statement read.

Aukus will focus on military capability, separating it from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance which also includes New Zealand and Canada.

The leaders did not refer to China directly, but said regional security challenges had grown significantly.

China's embassy in Washington reacted by saying countries "should not build exclusionary blocs".

Moreover, Beijing has been accused of raising tensions in disputed territories such as the South China Sea.

These submarines are much faster and harder to detect than conventionally powered fleets. They can stay submerged for months, travel for longer distances and also carry more.

Analysts say, “Having them stationed in Australia is critical to US influence in the region”.

The US is sharing its submarine technology for the first time in 50 years. It had previously only shared technology with the UK.

In addition, Australia will become the seventh nation in the world to operate nuclear-powered submarines, after the US, UK, France, China, India and Russia.