Australia, U.S. and U.K. Sign Agreement to Allow Exchange of Nuclear Material

Heads of the Goverments members of AUKUS, Aug 12, 2024 Photo: @NatCounterPunch

August 12, 2024 Hour: 5:51 pm

These countries see it as a strategic response to China’s alleged military ambitions in the Pacific region.

Australia, the US and Britain signed an agreement on Monday to allow the exchange of nuclear secrets and material in order to equip the Australian navy with nuclear-powered submarines.

Under the provision, as part of the AUKUS 2021 tripartite security agreement, they will have to adopt security measures for the transfer of sensitive nuclear material and knowledge from the United States and the United Kingdom.

This is seen as a strategic response to Chinese military ambitions in the Pacific region, and aims at building an Australian nuclear-powered submarine fleet and jointly developing advanced warfare capabilities.

On the other hand, China and Russia continue to strengthen their relations. At a recent meeting in Moscow, they held talks on the «peaceful use of outer space», agreeing to boost cooperation in this sector, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

#Australia, #US, #UK sign nuclear transfer deal for #AUKUS subs. The deal allows the exchange of nuclear secrets and material with the United States and Britain to beef up the Australian navy.#submarines #naval #nuclear #technology #defense https://t.co/AsZpM0DTdV pic.twitter.com/gszuBQwbXs
— Robert Weiter (@robert_weiter) August 12, 2024

The meeting covered topics such as «international legal regulation, as well as ensuring the long-term sustainability and safety of space activities» and the agenda of the UN Commission on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

In addition, the chancellery stressed that, at an earlier meeting in February, the two countries «underlined the need to continue close cooperation and joint active efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space and its militarization».