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Agreement will enable AUKUS members UK and US to transfer submarine-specific material and equipment for Australia’s future nuclear‑powered (SSN) submarines.
Key highlights of Agreement
- It will be central to transfer of Virginia-class nuclear submarines from US to Australia and transfer of equipment from UK for use in SSN-AUKUS submarines.
- Agreement rules out enriching uranium or reprocessing spent nuclear fuel in Australia and prevents AUKUS partners contravening international non-proliferation obligations.
- Australia would be responsible for nuclear waste management generated by its submarines.
AUKUS
- It is a trilateral security partnership between Australia, US and UK signed in 2021 to strengthen security and defence interests.
- It consists of two pillars, demonstrating its capabilities and strengths:
- Pillar 1: Supporting Australia to acquire its first conventionally armed, SSN submarine fleet.
- Pillar 2: Cooperation in eight advanced military capability areas: AI, quantum technologies, innovation, information sharing, and cyber, undersea, hypersonic and counter-hypersonic and electronic warfare domains.
Impact of AUKUS in Indo-Pacific region
- Balance of power: It aims at countering Chinese influence and redefining security architecture with increased involvement of western powers.
- India: It can be a tool in strengthening India’s idea of ‘strategic autonomy’ in Indo-Pacific and can complement Quad grouping.
- Nuclear proliferation concerns: Exchange of nuclear materials and knowledge can have strategical implications.
