SYDNEY, Aug 19 (Reuters) – A new security pact between the United States, Australia and Britain will help Australia defend its interests in the face of rising tensions with China, the Australian defence minister said on Thursday.
The pact, known as AUKUS, was announced last week and will see Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines for the first time.
Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton said AUKUS would allow Australia to “protect and defend our interests” in the Indo-Pacific region, where China has been expanding its military presence.
“The rise of China is real. It’s happening now. And we need to be able to respond to that,” Dutton told Sky News Australia.
“We need to make sure that we have the capability to defend our nation, to defend our interests, and to work with our partners in the region to maintain peace and stability.”
The AUKUS pact has been welcomed by some in Australia, but it has also raised concerns that it could escalate tensions with China.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Monday that AUKUS was a “Cold War mentality” and that it “seriously undermines regional peace and stability.”
Dutton said Australia did not want to “provoke” China, but he said it was important for Australia to be able to defend itself.
“We’re not looking for confrontation. We’re not looking for conflict. But we are looking to make sure that we have the capability to defend our interests,” he said.
The AUKUS pact is the latest in a series of moves by Australia to strengthen its security ties with the United States and Britain.
In recent years, Australia has increased its military spending and has worked with the United States and Britain on joint military exercises.
The AUKUS pact is a significant step forward in Australia’s security relationship with the United States and Britain, and it is likely to have a major impact on the security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.
**What are the benefits of AUKUS for Australia?**
The AUKUS pact will provide Australia with a number of benefits, including:
* **Access to nuclear-powered submarines:** For the first time, Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines, which are more powerful and can stay underwater for longer periods of time than diesel-powered submarines.
* **Increased military cooperation with the United States and Britain:** AUKUS will allow Australia to work more closely with the United States and Britain on a range of military issues, including intelligence sharing, joint exercises, and technology development.
* **Enhanced deterrence against China:** The AUKUS pact will help Australia to deter China from taking aggressive action in the Indo-Pacific region.
**What are the risks of AUKUS?**
The AUKUS pact also carries some risks, including:
* **Increased tensions with China:** The AUKUS pact could escalate tensions with China, which has already expressed concerns about the pact.
* **Nuclear proliferation:** The AUKUS pact could lead to nuclear proliferation in the Indo-Pacific region.
* **Increased risk of conflict:** The AUKUS pact could increase the risk of conflict between the United States, China, and Australia.
The AUKUS pact is a significant development in the security dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region. It has the potential to provide Australia with a number of benefits, but it also carries some risks. It is important for Australia to weigh the benefits and risks carefully before making a final decision on whether to join the pact.
**Additional information:**
* [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/aug/19/australia-sees-benefits-to-us-military-pact-as-china-tensions-rise).
