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AUKUS pact puts Indonesia in tight spot
Australia will get cruise missiles a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines as part of its new defense agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom, dubbed AUKUS, which has angered China and worried nuclear nonproliferation activists and regional diplomats.
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United States President Joe Biden watches as Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks virtually on national security at the White House in Washington, DC, on Thursday. The two nations announced a new defense alliance with the United Kingdom that has surprised many and angered China. (AFP/Brendan Smialowski)
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ustralia’s newly unveiled defense pact with the United Kingdom and the United States is expected to heighten tensions in the Indo-Pacific, with Indonesia and other countries finding themselves caught in the middle of an arms race between Western allies and China.
Canberra will get US cruise missiles and a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines as part of the new agreement, dubbed AUKUS, which has angered Beijing and worried nuclear nonproliferation activists and regional diplomats.
US President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the partnership on Thursday, to the surprise of many countries.
Morrison said the three nations respected “freedom” and “the rule of law” and that the alliance would help ensure security in the region.
Western allies often reference the rule of law and freedom when voicing opposition to China’s military buildup in the South China Sea, AFP reported.
But UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the move was “not intended to be adversarial toward any other power”, after China branded the deal a “threat to regional stability”.
Morrison will join Biden again on Sept. 24, this time in person, at the first White House gathering of the Quad diplomatic group, consisting of Australia, India, Japan and the US.
