FACT SHEET: Trilateral Australia-UK-US Partnership 2023

On September 15, 2021, the leaders of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced a new trilateral partnership focused on enhancing regional security in the Indo-Pacific. The centerpiece of this partnership is an agreement for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines from the United States and the United Kingdom.

Here are some key facts about this partnership:

1. Australia had previously planned to acquire conventionally-powered submarines from France under a $66 billion deal, but the agreement was terminated in light of the new partnership.

2. Nuclear-powered submarines are faster, quieter, and have greater range and endurance than conventionally-powered submarines, making them well-suited for operations in the vast distances and deep waters of the Indo-Pacific.

3. The United States and the United Kingdom have significant experience and expertise in designing, building, and operating nuclear-powered submarines.

4. The partnership also aims to enhance cooperation in other areas, including cyber security, artificial intelligence, and underwater capabilities.

5. The partnership has been criticized by China, which sees it as a provocative move that could destabilize the region.

6. The partnership is expected to deepen the longstanding military and intelligence ties between the three countries and contribute to a more secure and stable Indo-Pacific region.

Read also: SIM Card Registration ACT 2023

7. The exact terms of the partnership are still being worked out, but it is expected to take years to design, build, and deliver the new submarines.

8. Australia has committed to adhering to the highest standards of safety, security, and nonproliferation in acquiring and operating the nuclear-powered submarines.

9. The partnership has been welcomed by many of Australia's regional partners, including Japan and India, who see it as a positive development in the face of an increasingly assertive China.

10. The partnership reflects the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific region in global affairs and the need for like-minded countries to work together to address shared challenges.