{"id":12990,"date":"2021-09-17T02:50:01","date_gmt":"2021-09-17T02:50:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=12990"},"modified":"2021-09-17T02:50:01","modified_gmt":"2021-09-17T02:50:01","slug":"australia-to-pursue-nuclear-powered-submarines-through-new-trilateral-enhanced-security-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2021\/09\/17\/australia-to-pursue-nuclear-powered-submarines-through-new-trilateral-enhanced-security-partnership\/","title":{"rendered":"Australia to pursue nuclear-powered submarines through new trilateral enhanced security partnership"},"content":{"rendered":"

Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States have agreed to the creation of an enhanced trilateral security partnership \u2013 AUKUS.
\nThe security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region have grown significantly. Military modernisation is occurring at an unprecedented rate and capabilities are rapidly advancing and their reach expanding. The technological edge enjoyed by Australia and our partners is narrowing.
\nAUKUS will build on the three nations\u2019 longstanding and ongoing bilateral ties, and will enable the partners to significantly deepen cooperation on a range of emerging security and defence capabilities, which will enhance joint capability and interoperability. Initial efforts under AUKUS will focus on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and additional undersea capabilities.
\nThis 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.
\nAUKUS will complement Australia\u2019s network of strategic partnerships, including with our ASEAN friends, our Pacific family, our Five Eyes partners, the Quad and other like-minded partners.
\nFirst initiative under AUKUS<\/strong>
\nThe first initiative under AUKUS is for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarine technology, leveraging decades of experience from the US and UK.
\nUnder AUKUS, the three nations will focus immediately on identifying the optimal pathway to deliver at least eight nuclear-powered submarines for Australia.
\nOver the next 18 months, Australia, the UK and US will intensely examine the full suite of requirements that underpin nuclear stewardship and demonstrate a clear pathway to becoming a responsible and reliable steward of this sensitive technology. Australia will establish a Nuclear-Powered Submarine Taskforce in the Department of Defence to lead this work.
\nNuclear-powered submarines do not have the same limitations that face conventional submarines on weapons storage, speed and endurance. They can stay completely submerged for many months, limiting the opportunities for detection by adversaries.
\nAs a three-ocean nation, it is necessary for Australia to have access to the most capable submarine technology available. As a nation, we are ready to take the step to pursue the most advanced submarine technology available to defend Australia and its national interests.
\nAustralia has no plans to acquire nuclear weapons and this proposal will remain consistent with Australia\u2019s longstanding commitment to nuclear non-proliferation. All three nations are deeply committed to upholding leadership on global non-proliferation.
\nThe Government\u2019s intention is to build the nuclear-powered submarines in South Australia, maximising the use of Australian workers.
\nBuilding the submarines in Australia is the best way to develop a strong and effective sustainment industry, which will enable us to meet every requirement to safely operate and maintain nuclear-powered submarines.
\nAttack class submarine program<\/strong>
\nThe pursuit of nuclear-powered submarine technology means that Australia will no longer proceed with the Attack class conventional submarine program with Naval Group.
\nThe Government would like to thank the Attack class submarine workforce, Naval Group, the Government of France and Lockheed Martin Australia for their efforts to date. However, accelerating changes to regional security make conventional submarines unsuited to our operational needs in the decades ahead.
\nThe Government will actively work with industry to ensure the people and skills developed under the existing program are not lost to the Government\u2019s Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise as we establish a new program to support the delivery of nuclear-powered submarines to the Navy.
\nThe existing submarine workforce are prime candidates for the unprecedented work that needs to be performed across the Enterprise over the coming decades, where we will rely on their expertise more than ever.
\nThe Government will partner with our Australian-owned sovereign shipbuilder, ASC, to manage and implement a new Sovereign Shipbuilding Talent Pool.
\nThe Government is committed to finding a role within the Sovereign Shipbuilding Talent Pool for each and every skilled shipbuilding worker impacted by this announcement.
\nThe Sovereign Shipbuilding Talent Pool will re-deploy the existing shipbuilding workforce throughout current and new shipbuilding programs, while building the nuclear-powered submarine skills that will be crucial for the success of the nuclear-powered submarine program.
\nThis decision was not taken lightly. Our partnership with the Government of France and Naval Group on the Attack class conventional submarine program would have resulted in the most capable and lethal conventional submarine ever built.
\nAs likeminded liberal democracies, Australia and France share a common commitment to the rules-based global order that has delivered stability and prosperity to the Indo-Pacific.
\nWe look forward to continuing to work closely and positively with our French counterparts. France is a key friend and partner to Australia and the Indo-Pacific.
\nOther capabilities<\/strong>
\nThe Government will also acquire additional long-range strike capabilities for the Australian Defence Force.
\nThroughout the decade, Australia will rapidly acquire long-range strike capabilities to enhance the ADF\u2019s ability to deliver strike effects across our air, land and maritime domains.
\nThese include:<\/p>\n