New Zealand, initially hesitant about the Aukus defense pact, has shown a growing interest in collaborating with the trilateral agreement, particularly focusing on the technology-sharing aspects of the deal. This shift comes amidst a changing security landscape in the Pacific, driven by China’s growing assertiveness.
The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have finalized a new treaty to strengthen their Aukus security pact, enabling the transfer of nuclear technology for submarine development. The agreement includes safeguards and a one-year termination notice, sparking debate about its implications for Australian sovereignty and nuclear non-proliferation.
The $95 billion Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan aid package contains $2 billion to support the submarine production industry in the US. The investment is intended to boost the national shipbuilding base, which has been struggling to meet aggressive production targets due to decades of flat post-cold war spending. The Navy aims to acquire dozens of Columbia ballistic missile and Virginia attack submarines, and expects Electric Boat (EB), the Pentagon’s prime submarine contractor, and its suppliers to deliver two Virginias and one Columbia per year by 2028. EB has invested billions in its shipyards and hired a record number of employees in 2023, while retaining 88% of its workforce.
The trilateral defense and security pact between Australia, the UK, and the US, known as AUKUS, aims to enhance stability rather than create conflict, according to the US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. AUKUS is not designed to trigger an arms race, as nuclear submarines are permitted under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, and Australia has no intention of becoming a nuclear weapons state.
