AUKUS to deepen cooperation on hypersonic missile

US PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, UK PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON AND THE AUSTRALIAN PM SCOTT MORRISON SPOKE ON TUESDAY TO ASSESS THE PROGRESS UNDER AUKUS.

WASHINGTON: In a step that enhances their security commitments and visibility in the Indo-pacific, with a clear eye on the challenge posed by China’s military assertiveness and technological advances, leaders of Australia, United Kingdom and the United States (AUKUS) have declared that they are commencing “new trilateral cooperation on hypersonics, counterhypersonics, and electronic warfare capabilities”.

The three allies are also expanding their informationsharing and cooperation on defence innovation. US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Australian PM Scott Morrison spoke on Tuesday to assess the progress under AUKUS.

According to a statement issued by the leaders, the three countries reiterated their commitment to a free and open Indo-pacific, opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and commitment to an “international system that respects human rights, the rule of law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes free from coercion”.

The three leaders also said they were pleased with the progress in our trilateral programme for Australia to establish a conventionally armed, nuclearpowered submarine capability. “We are fully committed to establishing a robust approach to sharing naval propulsion technology with Australia that strengthens the global non-proliferation regime.”

This initiative, announced in September 2021, had led to the emergence of AUKUS.

AUKUS leaders said put together, the initiatives would add to their existing efforts to “deepen cooperation on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and additional undersea capabilities”.

They also noted that as work progressed on these and other critical defence and security capabilities, the three countries would seek opportunities to engage allies and close partners.

The conversation comes in the backdrop of a consistent American message over the past month that the Russian invasion will not distract it from the challenges in the Indo-pacific region.