SEOUL, South Korea — The security partnership of Australia, the United Kingdom and the U.S. announced Wednesday it is seeking collaboration with Japan, Canada, New Zealand and Korea to mark the third anniversary of the AUKUS alliance. “AUKUS partners and Japan are exploring opportunities to improve interoperability of their maritime autonomous systems as an initial area of cooperation,” the leaders of the security pact said in a joint statement posted on the White House website. “Recognizing these countries’ close bilateral defense partnerships with each member of AUKUS, we are consulting with Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea to identify possibilities for collaboration on advanced capabilities under AUKUS Pillar II,” the statement reads.
A. AUKUS: A Trilateral Pact for Enhanced Security
B.
The AUKUS pact, a trilateral security agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, has three pillars: Pillar I, Pillar II, and Pillar III. Pillar I focused on the U.S. and the U.K.
According to Japanese media, it is the first time a Chinese carrier has transited that strait, though the Liaoning navigated different channels through Japan’s southern Ryukyu Archipelago in 2021 and 2022. What’s more, North Korea test-fired several short-range missiles into the Sea of Japan on Wednesday, just days after revealing a uranium test facility with promises to increase its already formidable stockpile of atomic weapons. According to Seoul’s Joint Chiefs, the missiles flew about 250 miles. The AUKUS partnership was formed in 2021 to “promote a free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and stable” with an initial focus on the waters patrolled and defended by Australia, whose location in the region could help provide a strategic check on Chinese aggression.
* The United States is strengthening its military presence in Asia, particularly in Japan. * This strengthening is driven by a desire to counterbalance China’s growing military power. * The U.S. is investing in new technologies and capabilities, including advanced fighter jets, long-range missiles, and cyberwarfare capabilities.
• Andrew Salmon can be reached at asalmon@washingtontimes.com.
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