- Collaboration could include working together in areas such
as quantum technologies, undersea capabilities,
artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy, cyber, hypersonic and
counter-hypersonic capabilities, and electronic warfare
capabilities.
- Australia, UK and US already have close bilateral
relationships with Japan and consultation will begin with them.
AUKUS is a trilateral security and defence partnership between
Australia, the UK and the US, first announced in
September 2021. It sees the three nations work together on a
range of capabilities to support a free and open Indo-Pacific,
including a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine
capability for the UK and Australia – SSN-AUKUS – under Pillar
One of the partnership.
Consultation with other countries, including Japan, as potential
collaborators on some advanced military capabilities under Pillar
Two of the partnership will begin this year.
Australia, the UK and US are considering Japan's potential
involvement in some elements of the Pillar Two programme.
Pillar Two includes quantum technologies,
undersea capabilities, artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy,
cyber, hypersonic and counter-hypersonic capabilities, and
electronic warfare capabilities, supported by innovation and
information sharing.
Partners have always been clear on the intent to engage
additional nations in Pillar Two projects as the work progresses.
The potential collaborations will complement and build on the
close bilateral relationships that all three AUKUS nations have
with other countries.
The submarine capability is Pillar One of the AUKUS programme and
will always remain a trilateral endeavour. Work is progressing at
pace on the submarine programme, with Australia appointing UK
company BAE Systemslast month to build its SSN-AUKUS
submarines in partnership with ASC during a visit by Deputy Prime
Minister Marles and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps to Osborne
shipyard in Adelaide.
Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said:
In a more dangerous world, relationships and partnerships like
AUKUS are more important than ever.
We have always said we would engage additional nations in our
Pillar Two work as it progresses, and collaborating with
like-minded countries will strengthen the partnership further.
I am committed to a peaceful, prosperous and open Indo-Pacific
and to working with partners to grow our capabilities and uphold
international rules and order.
AUKUS nations will assess whether involving like-minded nations
like Japan would strengthen the development of capabilities.
Consultations will begin this year on where potential partners,
including Japan, can contribute to and benefit from Pillar Two
work.
Japan's potential involvement was announced by UK Defence
Secretary Grant Shapps, Australia Deputy Prime Minister and
Defence Minister Richard Marles and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd
Austin today in a joint statement.
Japan and the UK are already working together with Italy on our
sixth-generation fighter jet programme, GCAP, where they have
proved effective partners. Last year the UK and Japan agreed a
landmark new strategic partnership – the Hiroshima accord.
The joint statement comes two weeks after Defence Secretary Grant
Shapps and Foreign Secretary David Cameron visited Australia for
meetings with their counterparts, and a year after Prime Minister
Rishi Sunak, Australian Prime Minister Albanese and US President
Biden met in San Diego.
The AUKUS partnership is a demonstration of the commitment of
Australia, the UK, and the US to support peace, stability, and
prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Engaging like-minded
nations in the work of Pillar Two will only strengthen this
pursuit.
