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Australia and Britain said on Friday that a landmark deal to develop AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines would go ahead, despite mounting fears about costs, capabilities and the possible return of Donald Trump.
Under the fledgling AUKUS deal, the two countries along with the United States have pledged to beef up their military muscle in a bid to counter China’s rise.
Defence chiefs this week unveiled ambitious plans to supply Australia with a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, a key pillar of the agreement.
What is AUKUS
AUKUS stands for Australia, United Kingdom, United States.
It's a recent security partnership (founded in September 2021) focused on the Indo-Pacific region.
Here's a breakdown of its key aspects:
Military Cooperation: AUKUS aims to strengthen the military capabilities of all three members.
The most significant aspect is helping Australia acquire its first fleet of nuclear-powered submarines (important for underwater defense and stealth operations).
It's important to note that these submarines won't be carrying nuclear weapons.
Advanced Technologies: The partnership goes beyond submarines.
There's also collaboration on developing and sharing cutting-edge military technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and hypersonic weapons.
Information Sharing: AUKUS emphasizes close communication and information sharing among the three countries on security threats and developments.
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