View source for Organization:AUKUS

{{Short description|Australia–UK–US security partnership}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = AUKUS
| image = File:AUKUS logo.png
| image_size = 120px
| map = AUKUS signatories map.svg
| map_alt = A world map with Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States coloured in green; all remaining countries are in grey
| map_size = 300px
| map_caption = Member states shown in dark green
| abbreviation = AUKUS
| type = Military technology partnership
| purpose = Collective security
| headquarters = 
| region = [[Earth:Indo-Pacific|Indo-Pacific]]
| membership = {{plainlist|
* {{flag|Australia}}
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}
* {{flag|United States}}
}}
| formation = {{start date and age|df=yes|2021|09|15}}
| full_name = Trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States
}}

'''AUKUS''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɔː|k|ə|s}} {{respell|AW|kəs}}), also styled as '''Aukus'''<!--Aukus is used by BBC and Guardian etc-->, is a trilateral security partnership for the [[Earth:Indo-Pacific|Indo-Pacific]] region between {{wipe|Australia}}, the {{wipe|United Kingdom}}, and the {{wipe|United States}}. Announced on 15 September 2021,<ref name="Announce">{{cite press release |author1=Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison |author2=Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson |author3=President of the United States of America Joseph R. Biden |title=Joint Leaders Statement on AUKUS |url=https://www.pm.gov.au/media/joint-leaders-statement-aukus |website=Prime Minister of Australia |access-date=25 September 2021 |date=16 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927191438/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/joint-leaders-statement-aukus |archive-date=27 September 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Politico-15-sep">{{cite news|last1=Ward|first1=Alexander|last2=McLeary|first2=Paul|title=Biden announces joint deal with U.K. and Australia to counter China|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/15/biden-deal-uk-australia-defense-tech-sharing-511877|work=Politico|access-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927191534/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/15/biden-deal-uk-australia-defense-tech-sharing-511877|archive-date=27 September 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> the partnership involves the US and the UK assisting Australia in acquiring [[Engineering:Nuclear submarine|nuclear-powered submarines]].<ref name="Pursuenuclear">{{cite press release |author1=Prime Minister |author2=Minister for Defence |author3=Minister for Foreign Affairs |author4=Minister for Women |title=Australia to pursue Nuclear-powered Submarines through new Trilateral Enhanced Security Partnership |url=https://www.pm.gov.au/media/australia-pursue-nuclear-powered-submarines-through-new-trilateral-enhanced-security |website=Prime Minister of Australia |access-date=25 September 2021 |date=16 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927191633/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/australia-pursue-nuclear-powered-submarines-through-new-trilateral-enhanced-security |archive-date=27 September 2021 |url-status=dead}}[[File:CC-BY_icon.svg|50x50px]] This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.</ref> The partnership also includes cooperation on advanced [[Cyberwarfare|cyber mechanisms]], [[Artificial intelligence|artificial intelligence]] and autonomy, quantum technologies, undersea capabilities, hypersonic and counter-hypersonic, electronic warfare, innovation and information sharing.<ref name="Pursuenuclear" /><ref name="FactSheet" /> The partnership will focus on military capability, distinguishing it from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance that also includes [[Earth:New Zealand|New Zealand]] and {{wipe|Canada}}.<ref name=":2">{{cite news |date=16 September 2021 |title=Aukus: China denounces US-UK-Australia pact as irresponsible |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-58582573 |access-date=16 September 2021 |archive-date=16 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916132300/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-58582573 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The International Centre for Defence and Security called the partnership "a powerful statement about the priority of the Indo-Pacific" and as a statement "that the larger institutional groupings aren't acting with the common purpose and speed that the current strategic and technological environment demands".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shoebridge |first1=Michael |title=Why Did AUKUS Happen? Because the World Changed. |url=https://icds.ee/en/why-did-aukus-happen-because-the-world-changed/ |access-date=11 March 2023 |work=The International Centre for Defence and Security |date=24 November 2021}}</ref> The US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy called the partnership a "greater and deeper partnership" between the countries and said that it would provide a "lot of deterrence" in the Indo-Pacific.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Daniel |first1=Hurst |title=Caroline Kennedy praises Australia's bipartisan foreign policy despite PM's claims on Labor and China |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/08/caroline-kennedy-praises-australias-bipartisan-foreign-policy-despite-pms-claims-on-labor-and-china |access-date=11 March 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=8 April 2022}}</ref> The government of the {{wipe|China}} (PRC) said the partnership risked "severely damaging regional peace" and had a "cold-war mentality",<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-09-17|title=Aukus: China denounces US-UK-Australia pact as irresponsible|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-58582573|access-date=2021-11-26}}</ref> as the partnership was widely seen as being, at least in part, a response to China's status as an increasingly assertive [[Unsolved:Potential superpowers|emerging superpower]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cranston |first1=Michael |title=AUKUS causing Xi 'heartburn', says White House |url=https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/aukus-causing-xi-heartburn-says-white-house-20211120-p59ajk |access-date=12 March 2023 |work=Australian Financial Review |date=21 November 2021|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

The creation of the partnership spelled the end of a French–Australian submarine deal. On 17 September 2021, France recalled its ambassadors from Australia and the US; French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian called the partnership a "stab in the back"<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|date=16 September 2021|title=Aukus: UK, US and Australia launch pact to counter China|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-58564837|url-status=live|access-date=16 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916001936/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-58564837|archive-date=16 September 2021}}</ref> following Australia's cancellation of the deal worth €56&nbsp;billion ([[Finance:Australian dollar|A$]]90&nbsp;billion) without notice,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Peifer |first1=Douglas |date=21 September 2021 |title=French Anger over the AUKUS Trilateral Security Partnership Explained |work=Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs |publisher=Air University Press |url=https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/JIPA/Display/Article/2782767/french-anger-over-the-aukus-trilateral-security-partnership-explained/ |access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Marlowe|first=Lara|date=17 September 2021|title=France recalls ambassadors from US, Australia over submarine deal|newspaper=The Irish Times|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/france-recalls-ambassadors-from-us-australia-over-submarine-deal-1.4677256|url-status=live|access-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918053505/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/france-recalls-ambassadors-from-us-australia-over-submarine-deal-1.4677256|archive-date=18 September 2021}}</ref><ref name="recall">{{cite news|author=Shields, Bevan|date=18 September 2021|title=France recalls its ambassadors to Australia and United States amid submarine fury|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/france-recalls-its-ambassadors-to-australia-and-united-states-amid-submarine-fury-20210918-p58srt.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917203917/https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/france-recalls-its-ambassadors-to-australia-and-united-states-amid-submarine-fury-20210918-p58srt.html|archive-date=17 September 2021|accessdate=18 September 2021}}</ref> ending recent efforts to develop a deeper strategic partnership between France and Australia.<ref name="Aug30Statement">{{cite press release|author1=Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian|author2=Minister for the Armed Forces of France Florence Parly|author3=Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women of Australia Marise Payne|author4=Minister for Defence of Australia Peter Dutton|title=Inaugural Australia-France 2+2 Ministerial Consultations|url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/peter-dutton/statements/inaugural-australia-france-22-ministerial-consultations|website=Department of Defence Ministers|access-date=25 September 2021|date=30 August 2021|archive-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925134747/https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/peter-dutton/statements/inaugural-australia-france-22-ministerial-consultations|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|author1=Prime Minister of Australia|author2=President of France|title=Vision Statement on the Australia-France Relationship by the Honourable Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister Of The Commonwealth Of Australia and His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic|url=https://www.pm.gov.au/media/vision-statement-australia-france-relationship-honourable-malcolm-turnbull-prime-minister|website=Prime Minister of Australia|access-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20180823060652/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/vision-statement-australia-france-relationship-honourable-malcolm-turnbull-prime-minister|archive-date=23 August 2018|date=2 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Willsher|first1=Kim|date=18 September 2021|title=Aukus: France's ambassador recall is 'tip of the iceberg', say analysts|language=en|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/18/aukus-france-ambassador-recall-is-tip-of-the-iceberg-say-analysts|url-status=live|access-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923232241/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/18/aukus-france-ambassador-recall-is-tip-of-the-iceberg-say-analysts|archive-date=23 September 2021}}</ref> Following the ousting of Scott Morrison's government after the 2022 Australian federal election, the new Labor government led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed to a €555 million (US$584 million) settlement with French defence contractor [[Company:Naval Group|Naval Group]]. In response, French defence minister Lecornu said that France aims to rebuild its relationship with Australia. In addition, Albanese announced plans to travel to France to reset bilateral relations between the two countries.<ref name="CNN2022"/><ref name="AJ2022"/>

== Background ==

=== Naval Group–Australia strategic partnership agreement ===
In 2009, two years after the start of the project to replace the Royal Australian Navy's [[Engineering:Submarine#Diesel–electric transmission|conventionally-powered]] {{sclass|Collins|submarine|0}} submarines, the Australian Defence White Paper stated: "The Government has ruled out nuclear propulsion for these submarines".<ref>{{cite book |title=Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century : Force 2030 : Defence White Paper 2009 |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/whitepaper/docs/defence_white_paper_2009.pdf |publisher=Department of Defence |date=2009|page=70|isbn=9780642297020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090521035710/http://www.defence.gov.au/whitepaper/docs/defence_white_paper_2009.pdf |archive-date=21 May 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2016, Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull signed a A$50&nbsp;billion (€31&nbsp;billion) deal with the majority French government-owned company [[Company:Naval Group|Naval Group]] (known as DCNS until 2017) to design a new generation of submarines, known as the {{sclass|Attack|submarine|4}}, under the "Future Submarine Program", scheduled to replace the ''Collins'' class.<ref name="ABC-15-sep" /><ref>{{cite book |author1=Australian National Audit Office |title=Future Submarine Program - Transition to Design |date=14 January 2020 |isbn=9781760335175 |url=https://www.anao.gov.au/sites/default/files/Auditor-General_Report_2019-2020_22.pdf |series=Auditor-General Report No.22 2019-20 |ref={{SfnRef|Auditor-General Report|2020}} |pages=14, 15 |access-date=28 September 2021 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917031750/https://www.anao.gov.au/sites/default/files/Auditor-General_Report_2019-2020_22.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{refn|group=note|The exact build price and sustainment costs submitted by Naval Group to the Australian government are confidential. The government has refused to release the details under FOI.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rex Patrick and Department of Defence (No 2) (Freedom of information) [2020] AICmr 40 (13 August 2020) |url=http://classic.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/cases/cth/AICmr/2020/40.html |publisher=Australian Information Commissioner |via=Austlii |access-date=13 October 2021 |date=13 August 2020}}</ref> A decision by the OAIC to overturn the refusal and release the details is being appealed by the Department of Defence and Naval Group at the AAT).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Burke |first1=Helena |title=Australian Government spent $250,000 covering up French submarine deal |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/australian-government-spent-250000-covering-up-french-submarine-deal/news-story/4cd39015bf153ead2e5594541c4e5cdc |access-date=13 October 2021 |date=13 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Greene |first1=Andrew |title=Taxpayers footing French legal bills to keep original price of $90 billion future submarine project secret |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-10/taxpayers-paying-french-submarine-naval-group-legal-fees/100127510 |access-date=13 October 2021 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=10 May 2021}}</ref>}} The design was based on the latest French nuclear-powered [[Engineering:Attack submarine|attack submarine]], the [[Engineering:Barracuda-class submarine (France)|Barracuda class]], which required converting the nuclear propulsion to conventional propulsion. Another difference was that Australia chose to equip it with a United States Navy combat system and torpedo with [[Company:Lockheed Martin|Lockheed Martin Australia]] selected to integrate them into the design.{{sfn|Auditor-General Report|2020|p=15}}<ref>{{cite web |author1=Payne |first=Marise |date=16 November 2015 |title=Minister for Defence - Speech to the Submarine Institute of Australia |url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/speeches/minister-defence-speech-submarine-institute-australia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310224910/https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/speeches/minister-defence-speech-submarine-institute-australia |archive-date=10 March 2017 |website=Department of Defence Ministers}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.letemps.ch/economie/lockheed-martin-fournira-systemes-combat-sousmarins-australiens|title=Lockheed Martin fournira les systèmes de combat des sous-marins australiens|newspaper=Le Temps|date=30 September 2016|via=letemps.ch|access-date=20 September 2021|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921204705/https://www.letemps.ch/economie/lockheed-martin-fournira-systemes-combat-sousmarins-australiens|url-status=live}}</ref> Australia typically requires that part of their vessels be built there, which increases the cost. In this case it corresponded to 60 per cent of the contract value, with France handling the technology transfer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samama |first=Pascal |date=2021-09-16 |title=Sous-marins: l'Australie rompt un contrat de 56 milliards d'euros avec la France pour signer avec les Etats-Unis |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/economie/entreprises/industries/sous-marins-l-australie-rompt-un-contrat-de-56-milliards-d-euros-avec-la-france-pour-signer-avec-les-etats-unis_AN-202109160013.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917191229/https://www.bfmtv.com/economie/entreprises/industries/sous-marins-l-australie-rompt-un-contrat-de-56-milliards-d-euros-avec-la-france-pour-signer-avec-les-etats-unis_AN-202109160013.html |archive-date=17 September 2021 |access-date=20 September 2021 |website=BFM}}</ref>

In 2019, Australia signed a strategic partnership agreement with Naval Group to design and construct twelve submarines to be built in Australia.{{sfn|Auditor-General Report|2020|p=6,8,9}}<ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.naval-group.com/fr/naval-group-signe-laccord-de-partenariat-strategique-avec-laustralie-639|title=Naval Group signe l'accord de partenariat stratégique avec l'Australie|website=Naval Group|date=11 February 2019|language=French|access-date=25 September 2021|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924172425/https://www.naval-group.com/fr/naval-group-signe-laccord-de-partenariat-strategique-avec-laustralie-639|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the project was beset by delays and cost overruns, leading to uncertainty and tension behind the scenes.<ref name="recall" /><ref name="Reuters22Sept">{{cite news |last1=Needham |first1=Kirsty |title=Australian documents showed French submarine project was at risk for years |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australian-documents-showed-french-submarine-project-was-risk-years-2021-09-21/ |access-date=27 September 2021 |work=Reuters |date=22 September 2021 |archive-date=28 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928092152/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australian-documents-showed-french-submarine-project-was-risk-years-2021-09-21/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The revised cost, including inflation during the length of the program, was A$90&nbsp;billion (€56&nbsp;billion).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.lematin.ch/story/la-vente-de-sous-marins-americains-a-laustralie-jugee-irresponsable-par-la-chine-334966885371 |title=Diplomatie – la vente de sous-marins américains à l'Australie contrarie |newspaper=Le Matin |date=16 September 2021 |access-date=20 September 2021 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917064744/https://www.lematin.ch/story/la-vente-de-sous-marins-americains-a-laustralie-jugee-irresponsable-par-la-chine-334966885371 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2021, an initial design plan was rejected as being too expensive, and Naval Group were given until September to improve their proposal.<ref name="paris" /> At a Senate inquiry in early June 2021, with delays ongoing, Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty revealed under questioning that he had considered making contingency plans if the French project was to fail, admitting that there had been ongoing problems{{Vague|date={{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}}} for over a year.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-02/defence-contingency-planning-french-submarine-program-germans/100184644 |title=Defence looking at alternatives to French submarines in case $90&nbsp;billion program falters |author=Greene, Andrew |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=2 June 2021 |accessdate=18 September 2021 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917230113/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-02/defence-contingency-planning-french-submarine-program-germans/100184644 |url-status=live }}</ref> Two weeks later, Australian prime minister Scott Morrison met French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris and expressed concern about the project going off track, to which Macron replied that France was giving "full and complete" commitment and would proceed "further and faster if possible".<ref name=paris>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-16/scott-morrison-warns-france-submarine-deal-deadline/100221350 |title=Scott Morrison warns France to meet multi-billion-dollar submarine deal deadline |author=Greene, Andrew |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=16 June 2021 |accessdate=18 September 2021 |archive-date=18 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918104331/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-16/scott-morrison-warns-france-submarine-deal-deadline/100221350 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 30 August 2021, the French and Australian defence and foreign affairs ministers released a joint statement reaffirming the project, stating that the "Ministers underlined the importance of the Future Submarine program."<ref name="Aug30Statement"/><ref name="navalnews_2021-09">{{Cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/09/french-mod-setting-the-record-straight-on-australian-submarine-affair/|title=French MoD Sets the Record Straight on Australian Submarine Affair|first=Xavier|last=Vavasseur|date=21 September 2021|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921184550/https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/09/french-mod-setting-the-record-straight-on-australian-submarine-affair/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Hurst|first1=Daniel|title=The nuclear option: why has Australia ditched the French submarine plan for the Aukus pact?|date=17 September 2021|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/18/the-nuclear-option-why-has-australia-ditched-the-french-submarine-plan-for-the-aukus-pact|access-date=1 October 2021|work=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref>

Less than three weeks later, Australia decided to publicly cancel the contract with Naval Group for the ''Attack''-class submarines<ref name="ABC-15-sep">{{cite news |last1=Greene |first1=Andrew |last2=Probyn |first2=Andrew |last3=Dziedzic |first3=Stephen |title=Australia to get nuclear-powered submarines, scrap $90b plan to build French-designed subs |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-15/allied-naval-united-states-biden-australia-nuclear-submarines/100465628 |access-date=15 September 2021 |work=ABC News |date=15 September 2021 |language=en-AU |archive-date=15 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915135206/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-15/allied-naval-united-states-biden-australia-nuclear-submarines/100465628 |url-status=live }}</ref> despite having already spent about [[Finance:Australian dollar|A$]]2.4&nbsp;billion on the French project.<ref name="americanfuel">{{cite news|last=Shepherd|first=Tory|date=17 September 2021|title=Australia considered buying nuclear submarines from France before ditching deal, Peter Dutton says|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/17/australia-considered-buying-nuclear-submarines-from-france-before-ditching-deal-peter-dutton-says|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917173420/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/17/australia-considered-buying-nuclear-submarines-from-france-before-ditching-deal-peter-dutton-says|url-status=live}}</ref> It was expected that Australia would have to pay hundreds of millions of euros in penalties for cancelling the contract.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Monier |first=Lénaïg |date=18 September 2021 |title=Sous-marins australiens : "La France aura des compensations financières" |url=https://www.europe1.fr/international/sous-marins-australiens-la-france-aura-des-compensations-financieres-4067223 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918161903/https://www.europe1.fr/international/sous-marins-australiens-la-france-aura-des-compensations-financieres-4067223 |archive-date=18 September 2021 |access-date=20 September 2021}}</ref> The contract contained "control gates" with "off-ramps" at which point Australia could withdraw from the contract.{{sfn|Auditor-General Report|2020|pp=28,30}}<ref name="6PR"/>

The Australian Department of Defence wrote to Naval Group on the same day the security pact was announced.<ref name="navalnews_2021-09" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Future Submarine Program - Functional Ship System Functional Review (SFR) Exit |url=https://www.defence.gov.au/FOI/Docs/Disclosures/147_2122_Documents.pdf |website=Director General Future Submarine Program Commodore Craig Bourke |publisher=Australian Government |access-date=13 October 2021 |date=15 September 2021|id=Released under FOI 147/21/22}}</ref> The French Ministry of Defence claim the department told them that "they were satisfied with the submarine's achievable performance and with the progress of the program."<ref name="navalnews_2021-09" /> Naval Group said that Australia "terminated the contract for convenience".<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Shepherd|first1=Tory|title=Australia tore up French submarine contract 'for convenience' Naval Group says|date=29 September 2021|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/29/australia-tore-up-french-submarine-contract-for-convenience-naval-group-says|access-date=1 October 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref>

Morrison said that Australia now required a nuclear-powered submarine which has the advantages of greater speed, remaining underwater for longer and carrying heavier loads than a conventionally powered submarine, based on a change in the strategic situation in the Indo-Pacific.<ref name="bbc" /><ref name="Pursuenuclear"/><ref name="Morrison16thTXN"/>

=== Australia–UK–US negotiations ===
''The Sunday Telegraph'' reported that in March 2021 the Australian navy chief Vice Admiral Michael Noonan met in London with his British counterpart Admiral Tony Radakin and requested assistance from the UK and the US in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bodkin |first1=Henry |last2=Samuel |first2=Henry |last3=Crisp |first3=James |title='Declaration of war': how UK's secret nuclear pact blindsided Europe's elite |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/09/18/frances-aukus-anger-reveals-stark-truth-place-world/ |access-date=24 September 2021 |work=The Sunday Telegraph |date=19 September 2021 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924173309/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/09/18/frances-aukus-anger-reveals-stark-truth-place-world/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Daily Telegraph'' reported that British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab "helped broker the deal".<ref name="Tele18Sept">{{cite news |last1=Malnick |first1=Edward |title=Liz Truss defies EU backlash over submarine pact with vow to fight for freedom |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/09/18/liz-truss-defies-eu-backlash-submarine-pact-vow-fight-freedom/ |access-date=24 September 2021 |work=The Telegraph |date=19 September 2021 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923143700/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/09/18/liz-truss-defies-eu-backlash-submarine-pact-vow-fight-freedom/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''{{wipe|The New York Times}}'' too reported that Australia first approached the UK for assistance.<ref name="NYT18Sept">{{cite news |last1=Landler |first1=Mark |title=Submarine Deal Gives Post-Brexit Britain Its Moment on the Global Stage |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/18/world/europe/britain-us-france-submarines-brexit.html |access-date=24 September 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=18 September 2021 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924004714/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/18/world/europe/britain-us-france-submarines-brexit.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''{{wipe|The Wall Street Journal}}'' reported Australia approached the US in April 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gordon |first=Michael R. |title=How the U.S. Agreed to Provide Nuclear Sub Technology to Australia |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-the-u-s-agreed-to-provide-nuclear-sub-technology-to-australia-2b631d8f |access-date=2023-03-17 |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=13 March 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> A trilateral discussion was held between Johnson, Biden and Morrison at the June 2021 G7 summit held in Cornwall, England.<ref name="Morrison16thTXN">{{cite web |author=Morrison |first=Scott |date=16 September 2021 |title=Press Conference – Canberra, ACT |url=https://www.pm.gov.au/media/press-conference-canberra-act-24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927044405/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/press-conference-canberra-act-24 |archive-date=27 September 2021 |access-date=27 September 2021 |website=Prime Minister of Australia |location=Canberra, ACT}}</ref><ref name="GuardianSept18">{{cite news |last1=Hurst |first1=Daniel |title=The nuclear option: why has Australia ditched the French submarine plan for the Aukus pact? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/18/the-nuclear-option-why-has-australia-ditched-the-french-submarine-plan-for-the-aukus-pact |access-date=24 September 2021 |issue=The Guardian |date=18 September 2021 |archive-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923005159/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/18/the-nuclear-option-why-has-australia-ditched-the-french-submarine-plan-for-the-aukus-pact |url-status=live }}</ref> The talks took place without the knowledge of the French government or Naval Group.<ref name="Tele18Sept" /> This approach was possible as a result of the UK not entering into a formal foreign policy and security treaty in the post-Brexit deal with the EU. As a result, the UK was free to pursue enhanced cooperation with other allies.<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 September 2021|title=AUKUS reveals much about the new global strategic context|url=https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021/09/aukus-reveals-much-about-new-global-strategic-context|access-date=21 September 2021|website=Chatham House – International Affairs Think Tank|language=en|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921072709/https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021/09/aukus-reveals-much-about-new-global-strategic-context|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Axios'' reported that the [[History:Presidency of Joe Biden|Biden administration]] sought assurances from Australia that cancelling the contract was not dependent on the US providing them with assistance and that cancelling was a fait accompli.<ref name="Axious">{{cite news |last1=Basu |first1=Zachary |last2=Swan |first2=Jonathon |date=6 October 2021 |title=Inside Biden's full-court press with France |work=Axios |url=https://www.axios.com/biden-make-amends-france-macron-8db93b4c-39a3-458b-8216-02dfd0a8f03f.html |access-date=7 October 2021}}</ref> Morrison said Australia had been considering an alternative to the ''Attack''-class submarine deal for the past 18 months.<ref name="Morrison16thTXN" /><ref name="GuardianSept18" />

Although the joint announcement by Australian prime minister Scott Morrison, British prime minister Boris Johnson and US president Joe Biden did not mention any other country by name, except France, anonymous White House sources have alleged it is designed to counter the influence of Chinese forces in the Indo-Pacific region.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=16 September 2021 |title=Pact with U.S., Britain, will see Australia scrap French sub deal-media |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-announce-alliance-with-britain-australia-tech-cyber-defense-politico-2021-09-15/ |access-date=16 September 2021 |work={{wipe|Reuters}} |language=en |archive-date=15 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915213738/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-announce-alliance-with-britain-australia-tech-cyber-defense-politico-2021-09-15/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Announce" /> However, Johnson later told parliament that the move was not intended to be adversarial toward China.<ref>{{Cite web |author=PA Media |date=16 September 2021 |title=Prime Minister: Aukus is not intended to be adversarial towards China |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/prime-minister-aukus-not-intended-114919834.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921204704/https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=2_cc-session_9258c2cf-6445-4415-9a51-655fd26066c1 |archive-date=21 September 2021 |access-date=19 September 2021 |publisher=Yahoo! News}}</ref>

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that Australia did not have any "reciprocal requirements" as a consequence of the US sharing nuclear submarine propulsion technology such as Australia hosting intermediate-range missiles.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Blinken |first1=Antony |last2=Austin |first2=Lloyd |author-link2=Lloyd Austin |last3=Payne |first3=Marise |author-link3=Marise Payne |last4=Dutton |first4=Peter |author-link4=Peter Dutton |date=16 September 2021 |title=Secretary Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, and Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton At a Joint Press Availability |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/2779217/secretary-antony-j-blinken-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-australian-f/ |access-date=2 October 2021 |website=U.S. Department of Defense}}</ref><ref name="dutton-dismissal" />

== Features ==

=== Tier 1 - Nuclear-powered submarines ===
{{Main|Engineering:SSN-AUKUS}}
[[File:President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the AUKUS meeting in San Diego, California, March 13, 2023 - 230313-D-TT977-0188.jpg|thumb|US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the AUKUS meeting in San Diego, California, on 13 March 2023]]

Under the partnership, the US and UK will share nuclear propulsion technology with Australia, as they have done with each other since 1958 under the US–UK Mutual Defence Agreement.<ref name="6PR">{{cite interview |last=Morrison |first=Scott |subject-link=Scott Morrison |interviewer=Jane Marwick |title=Interview with Jane Marwick, 6PR |url=https://www.pm.gov.au/media/interview-jane-marwick-6pr |access-date=27 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927120740/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/interview-jane-marwick-6pr |archive-date=27 September 2021 |url-status=live |work=6PR |location=Perth, Western Australia |date=16 September 2021}}</ref>{{sfn|Ritchie|2015|p=3,4-5}}<ref name="Pursuenuclear"/> The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines armed with conventional weapons.<ref name="Pursuenuclear"/> The basic design and key technologies will be decided by the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Task Force an 18-month Department of Defence research project headed by Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, begun in September 2021 with assistance from the US and UK.<ref name="Pursuenuclear"/><ref>{{cite press release |last1=Galliford |first1=Claire |last2=Rohweder |first2=LT Sarah |title=Navy enters new era |url=https://news.defence.gov.au/capability/navy-enters-new-era |website=Department of Defence |access-date=2 October 2021 |date=17 September 2021}}</ref>

Australia will extend the life of its ''Collins''-class submarines that the ''Attack'' class was due to replace and may consider leasing or buying nuclear-powered submarines from the US or the UK in the interim until the delivery of its future nuclear powered submarines.<ref name="Pursuenuclear"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Remeikis |first1=Amy |title=Australia could initially lease submarines from UK or US but nuclear weapons remain off limits |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/19/australia-could-lease-submarines-from-uk-or-us-but-nuclear-weapons-remain-off-the-table |access-date=27 September 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=19 September 2021 |archive-date=27 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927095453/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/19/australia-could-lease-submarines-from-uk-or-us-but-nuclear-weapons-remain-off-the-table |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Australia to consider leasing or buying existing submarines from the US, UK |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/defence-and-foreign-affairs/australia-to-consider-leasing-or-buying-existing-submarines-from-the-us-uk/video/0eaff88624c0b49fea2f2cc56e07d10d |access-date=27 September 2021 |work=Sky News Australia |date=19 September 2021 |archive-date=22 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922184715/https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/defence-and-foreign-affairs/australia-to-consider-leasing-or-buying-existing-submarines-from-the-us-uk/video/0eaff88624c0b49fea2f2cc56e07d10d |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in the interim, Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton said that Australia will have regular visits by US and UK nuclear-powered submarines.<ref>{{cite interview |last=Dutton |first=Defence Minister Peter |subject-link=Peter Dutton |interviewer=Karl Stefanovic |title=Interview with Karl Stefanovic, Today Show, Channel Nine |work=Today |date=17 September 2021 |location=Sydney |url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/peter-dutton/transcripts/interview-karl-stefanovic-today-show-channel-nine |access-date=28 September 2021 |archive-date=28 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928050758/https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/peter-dutton/transcripts/interview-karl-stefanovic-today-show-channel-nine |url-status=live }}</ref>{{refn|group=note|The 2012 Australian Defence Force Posture Review recommended that Australia's [[Engineering:Submarine base|submarine base]] at HMAS Stirling in Perth be expanded and be able to support US Navy (USN) submarines.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Hawke |first1=Allan |last2=Smith |first2=Ric |title=Australian Defence Force Posture Review |date=30 March 2012 |publisher=Department of Defence |url=https://www.defence.gov.au/publications/reviews/adfposture/Docs/Report.pdf |pages=v,35 |access-date=28 September 2021 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917200024/https://www.defence.gov.au/Publications/Reviews/ADFPosture/Docs/Report.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>}} The annual Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) between the Australian Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Defence and the US Secretaries of State and Defense held in September 2021 endorsed "increasing logistics and sustainment capabilities of US surface and subsurface vessels in Australia."<ref>{{cite press release |title=Joint Statement on Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) 2021 |url=https://www.state.gov/joint-statement-on-australia-u-s-ministerial-consultations-ausmin-2021/ |website=U.S. Department of State |access-date=2 October 2021 |date=16 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=AUSMIN - Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations |url=https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/united-states-of-america/ausmin/ausmin-australia-united-states-ministerial-consultations |website=Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |publisher=Australian Government |access-date=3 October 2021}}</ref>

Australia considered purchasing French nuclear submarines which use nuclear reactors fuelled by low-enriched uranium at less than 6%.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Shepherd|first=Tory|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/17/australia-considered-buying-nuclear-submarines-from-france-before-ditching-deal-peter-dutton-says|title=Australia considered buying nuclear submarines from France before ditching deal, Peter Dutton says|date=17 September 2021|work=The Guardian|access-date=27 September 2021|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917173420/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/17/australia-considered-buying-nuclear-submarines-from-france-before-ditching-deal-peter-dutton-says|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="princeton"/> However, French reactor designs have to be refuelled every ten years,<ref name=":1"/><ref>{{cite report |last1=Moore |first1=Dr. George |title=Life-of-the-Ship Reactors and Accelerated Testing of Naval Propulsion Fuels and Reactors |url=https://uploads.fas.org/media/Life-of-the-Ship-Reactors-and-Accelerated-Testing.pdf |publisher=Federation of American Scientists |access-date=30 September 2021 |pages=11–12 |date=March 2017 |archive-date=20 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920055334/https://uploads.fas.org/media/Life-of-the-Ship-Reactors-and-Accelerated-Testing.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and Australia does not have a civil nuclear capability with nuclear energy prohibited.<ref>{{cite interview |last=Morrison |first=Prime Minister Scott |subject-link=Scott Morrison |interviewer=Ben Fordham |title=Interview with Ben Fordham, 2GB |work=2GB |date=17 September 2021 |location=Sydney |url=https://www.pm.gov.au/media/interview-ben-fordham-2gb-20 |access-date=27 September 2021 |archive-date=27 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927084221/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/interview-ben-fordham-2gb-20 |url-status=live }}</ref> In contrast, American and British designs power the submarines for the expected life of the submarines<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Husseini|first1=Talal|title=Astute vs Virginia: Which navy has the best nuclear attack submarine?|url=https://www.naval-technology.com/features/astute-vs-virginia-best-submarine/|date=15 April 2019|access-date=23 September 2021|work=Naval Technology|language=en-GB|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917135250/https://www.naval-technology.com/features/astute-vs-virginia-best-submarine/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |last1=Ritchie |first1=Nick |title=The UK Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programme and Highly Enriched Uranium |url=https://uploads.fas.org/2015/03/2015-FAS-UK-NNPP-HEU-final2.pdf |location=University of York, UK |date=February 2015 |page=4 |access-date=27 September 2021 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917192655/https://uploads.fas.org/2015/03/2015-FAS-UK-NNPP-HEU-final2.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> using nuclear reactors fuelled by highly enriched uranium (HEU) at 93% enrichment.<ref name="fuel">{{cite thesis |type=Masters |last1=Hanlon |first1=Brendan |title=Validation of the Use of Low Enriched Uranium as a Replacement for Highly Enriched Uranium in US Submarine Reactors |url=https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/103656/953286533-MIT.pdf |access-date=27 September 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology |date=2015 |archive-date=1 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001073422/https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/103656/953286533-MIT.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="tna3b">{{cite web|url=https://rina.org.uk/publications/warship-technology/project-aukus-achieving-critical-mass-scientifically-and-politically/|title=Achieving Critical Mass with Highly Enriched Uranium 2023|date=26 July 2023 |access-date=18 October 2023|publisher=[[Organization:Royal Institution of Naval Architects|Royal Institution of Naval Architects]] by Dr MJ Cianni}}</ref>

Currently, only six countries have nuclear submarines, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States) and India.<ref name="bbc" /> The New York Times reported that Australia will probably buy HEU from the US for the nuclear reactor that powers the submarine.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Sanger|first1=David E.|last2=Kanno-Youngs|first2=Zolan|date=15 September 2021|title=Biden Announces Defense Deal With Australia in a Bid to Counter China|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/15/us/politics/biden-australia-britain-china.html|access-date=16 September 2021|issn=0362-4331|url-access=subscription|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927143058/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/15/us/politics/biden-australia-britain-china.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{refn|group=note|Even though Australia is a leading producer of uranium, it has never operated [[Engineering:Nuclear power plant|nuclear power plant]]s.<ref name=":4" />}} The United States' naval reactors are all [[Engineering:Pressurized water reactor|pressurized water reactor]]s (PWR).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fact Sheet on U.S. Nuclear Powered Warship (NPW) Safety|url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/security/fact0604.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=19 September 2021|archive-date=16 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216185523/https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/security/fact0604.pdf}}</ref> The latest UK propulsion system is the [[Engineering:Rolls-Royce PWR#PWR3|Rolls-Royce PWR3]] that will power the Royal Navy's (RN) new {{sclass|Dreadnought|submarine|0}} submarines currently being built and is "based on a US design but using UK reactor technology".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hollinshead |first1=Dr P |last2=MacKinder |first2=A P |year=2009|title=Successor Submarine Project (Note by the Assistant Secretary)| publisher=Defence Board |series=(09)62 |chapter=Annex A: Successor Submarine Project Review Note (24 November 2009)|url=http://robedwards.typepad.com/files/declassified-report-to-mod-defence-board.pdf |id=Released under FOI|access-date=18 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Safety paramount for RN nuclear submarine reactors |journal=Defence Codex: The Magazine for Defence Engineering and Science |date=Autumn 2011 |issue=9 |page=15 |url=http://www.science.mod.uk//codex//documents/codex_issue_9.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Defence|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013011032/http://www.science.mod.uk//codex//documents/codex_issue_9.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

US officials have said that sharing nuclear propulsion technology with Australia is a "one-off" and that they have no "intention of extending this to other countries".<ref>{{cite web |title=Background Press Call on AUKUS |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2021/09/15/background-press-call-on-aukus/ |website=The White House |access-date=18 October 2021 |date=15 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Background Press Call by a Senior Administration Official Previewing the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2021/09/20/background-press-call-by-a-senior-administration-official-previewing-the-76th-session-of-the-united-nations-general-assembly/ |website=The White House |access-date=18 October 2021 |date=20 September 2021}}</ref> {{wipe|South Korea}}, also a US treaty ally, has had ambitions to acquire nuclear-powered submarines since 2017 and was reportedly refused US assistance in September 2020 because of nuclear non-proliferation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Byong-su |first1=Park |title=Is S. Korea next in line for nuclear submarines? |url=https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/1013643.html |access-date=18 October 2021 |work=The Hankyoreh |date=3 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Nuclear-powered submarine development is pursued hastily|url=https://www.donga.com/en/article/all/20201007/2203024/1 |access-date=18 October 2021 |work=The Dong-a Ilbo |date=7 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Peter K |title=AUKUS and South Korea's dilemma |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2021/10/197_316305.html |access-date=18 October 2021 |work=The Korea Times |date=4 October 2021}}</ref>

On 22 November 2021, Australia, the US and the UK signed the ''Exchange of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information Agreement'' (ENNPIA) treaty.<ref>{{cite press release |author1= Peter Dutton |title=Australia signs exchange of naval nuclear propulsion information sharing agreement |url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/peter-dutton/media-releases/australia-signs-exchange-naval-nuclear-propulsion-information |website=Department of Defence Ministers |access-date=13 January 2022 |date=22 November 2021}}</ref><ref name="ENNPIA">{{cite book |author1=Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office |title=Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Australia, and the Government of the United States of America for the Exchange of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information |date=2021 |publisher=Her Majesty's Stationery Office |isbn=9781528630351 |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1036009/MS_8.2021_Agreement_UK_USA_Australia_Naval_Nuclear_Propulsion.pdf |access-date=13 January 2022 |series=Miscellaneous Series No.8 (2021)}}</ref> The treaty permits the disclosure of information by the US and the UK to Australia and its use.<ref name="ENNPIA"/> The US is restricted by the Atomic Energy Act of 1946 from sharing information without an agreement and the UK is also restricted by the 1958 US-UK Mutual Defence Agreement unless authorised.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office |title=Explanatory Memorandum on the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Australia, and the Government of the United States of America for the Exchange of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information |website=GOV.UK|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1036092/EM_MS_8.2021_Agreement_UK_Aus_USA_Naval_Nuclear_Propulsion.odt |access-date=13 January 2022 |date=November 2021}}</ref>{{sfn|Ritchie|2015|p=3}} The treaty was considered in Australia by the Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, in the UK by the Parliament and in the US by Congress.<ref>{{cite press release |author1=Joint Standing Committee on Treaties |title=Treaties Committee supports first AUKUS agreement |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/House_of_Representatives/About_the_House_News/Media_Releases/Treaties_Committee_supports_first_AUKUS_agreement |website=Parliament of Australia |date=17 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office |title=UK/Australia/USA: Agreement for the Exchange of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information [MS No.8/2021] |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukaustraliausa-agreement-for-the-exchange-of-naval-nuclear-propulsion-information-ms-no82021 |website=GOV.UK |access-date=13 January 2022 |date=29 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |author1=President Joseph Biden |title=A Message to the Congress on the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America, the Government of Australia, and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/12/01/a-message-to-the-congress-on-the-agreement-between-the-government-of-the-united-states-of-america-the-government-of-australia-and-the-government-of-the-united-kingdom-of-great-britain-and-northern-i/ |website=The White House |access-date=13 January 2022 |date=1 December 2021}}</ref> The ENNPIA treaty entered into force on 8 February 2022.<ref name="FactSheet">{{cite press release |author1=Prime Minister |title=Fact Sheet: Implementation of the Australia – United Kingdom – United States Partnership (AUKUS) |url=https://www.pm.gov.au/sites/default/files/media/aukus-fact-sheet.pdf |website=Prime Minister of Australia |date=6 April 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405233228/https://www.pm.gov.au/sites/default/files/media/aukus-fact-sheet.pdf |archive-date=5 April 2022 |url-status=dead}}[[File:CC-BY_icon.svg|50x50px]] This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.</ref>

[[File:One of the first RAN graduates of the USN Nuclear Power School with dignitaries during their graduation ceremony in July 2023.jpg|thumb|left|One of the first three Royal Australian Navy officers to graduate from the US Navy's [[Organization:Nuclear Power School|Nuclear Power School]] posing with Australian and American dignitaries in July 2023]]
On 31 August 2022, the UK announced that Australian submariners would receive training aboard [[Engineering:Astute-class submarine|''Astute''-class submarines]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Australian submariners to join Royal Navy crews as UK and Australia deepen defence ties through AUKUS pact |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/australian-submariners-to-join-royal-navy-crews-as-uk-and-australia-deepen-defence-ties-through-aukus-pact |access-date=31 August 2022 |work=GOV.UK |date=31 August 2022}}</ref>

On 13 March 2023, AUKUS announced that a new nuclear powered submarine class would be built in the UK and Australia to be called the [[Engineering:SSN-AUKUS|SSN-AUKUS]], also known as the SSN-A.<ref>{{OGL-attribution|version=3.0|{{cite web |author1=Ministry of Defence |author2=Defence Nuclear Organisation |title=The AUKUS Nuclear Powered-Submarine Pathway: A Partnership for the Future |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1142588/The_AUKUS_nuclear_powered_submarine_pathway_a_partnership_for_the_future.pdf |access-date=17 March 2023 |date=14 March 2023 |ref={{sfnref|Ministry of Defence|2023}} |pages=4, 7}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace |title=Astute Replacement Programme: Contingent Liability |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-06-28/debates/23062846000009/AstuteReplacementProgrammeContingentLiability |website=UK Parliament Hansard |publisher=House of Commons |access-date=15 October 2023 |date=28 June 2023}}</ref><ref name="AUKUSMar23">{{OGL-attribution|version=3.0|{{cite press release |title=British-led design chosen for AUKUS submarine project |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-led-design-chosen-for-aukus-submarine-project |website=GOV.UK |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=15 October 2023 |date=13 March 2023}}}}</ref> The US intends to sell Australia three nuclear-powered {{Sclass|Virginia|submarine|4}} submarines, subject to congressional approval, to ensure there is no capability gap as the ''Collins'' class submarines are retired, with the potential to sell up to two more if needed.<ref>{{cite press release |author1=Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese |author2=Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak |author3=President of the United States of America Joseph R. Biden |title=Joint Leaders Statement on AUKUS |url=https://www.pm.gov.au/media/joint-leaders-statement-aukus |website=Prime Minister of Australia |date=14 March 2023 |access-date=14 March 2023}}[[File:CC-BY_icon.svg|50x50px]] This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.</ref>{{sfn|Ministry of Defence|2023|page=10}} RAN personnel will be embedded in the RN and USN to receive nuclear training and at UK and US submarine industrial bases.<ref name="AUKUSMar23"/> The Submarine Rotational Force-West initiative which will from as early as 2027 base USN ''Virginia'' class and RN {{Sclass|Astute|submarine|4}} submarines on a rotational basis at the RAN's HMAS Stirling submarine base in order to accelerate Australia's ability to operate nuclear-powered submarines and to contribute to security in the Indo-Pacific region.{{sfn|Ministry of Defence|2023|pages=8,27,29}}

The SSN-AUKUS class will based on the UK SSNR design already under development.<ref>{{Cite press release |author=The White House |date=2023-03-13 |title=Fact Sheet: Trilateral Australia-UK-US Partnership on Nuclear-Powered Submarines |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/03/13/fact-sheet-trilateral-australia-uk-us-partnership-on-nuclear-powered-submarines/ |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=The White House |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Australia to buy US submarines to bridge gap before UK-design boats|date=10 March 2023|first1= Demetri|last1= Sevastopulo|first2 =Sylvia|last2 =Pfeifer|first3 =John Paul|last3=Rathbone|website= Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/d5035343-8816-4390-a4dc-04579665849c|access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref> The RN is planned to receive their first SSN-AUKUS class submarine as early as the late 2030s.{{sfn|Ministry of Defence|2023|p=7}} The RAN is planned to receive their first submarine in the early 2040s.{{sfn|Ministry of Defence|2023|p=7}} Australia will reportedly build five SSN-AUKUS submarines.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Briggs |first1=Peter |title=How many nuclear-powered submarines for Australia? |url=https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/how-many-nuclear-powered-submarines-for-australia/ |website=The Strategist — Australian Strategic Policy Institute |access-date=15 October 2023 |date=12 October 2023}}</ref> The RAN is planned to receive their first ''Virginia'' class submarine from the US in the early 2030s.{{sfn|Ministry of Defence|2023|p=8}}

The Australian Submarine Agency was established on 1 July 2023. It has the role of managing the Australian nuclear submarine program, and includes personnel posted to the UK and US.<ref>{{cite news |title=Government launches Australian Submarine Agency |url=https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/government-launches-australian-submarine-agency |access-date=8 July 2023 |work=Australian Defence Magazine |date=3 July 2023}}</ref>

In November 2023, Capt. Lincoln Reifsteck USN, the USN's AUKUS integration and acquisition program manager, talked at the Naval Submarine League's annual symposium. He said that, in 2032 and 2035, the USA will sell to Australia in-service Block IV Virginia-class submarines, the first of which was commissioned in 2020, and the final will likely commission around 2026. Thus, Australia would receive submarines with between six and 15 years' worth of use, out of their designed service life of 33 years. He also said that the USA would sell a new Block VII boat to Australia in 2038, the Block VIIs being the original Virginia-class length without the Virginia Payload Module, set to begin construction in FY2029.<ref name="2023-11-14_DN">[https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/11/13/heres-when-the-us-navy-plans-to-sell-subs-to-australia-under-aukus/ Here's when the US Navy plans to sell subs to Australia under AUKUS], Megan Eckstein, Defense News, 2023-11-14</ref>

=== Tier 2 - Technology ===

==== Computer and cybertechnology ====
The announcement of AUKUS included the stated aim of improving "joint capabilities and interoperability. These initial efforts will focus on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and additional undersea capabilities."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-us-and-australia-launch-new-security-partnership |title=UK, US AND Australia launch new security partnership |publisher=Prime Minister's Office |date=15 September 2021 |accessdate=18 September 2021 |archive-date=18 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918054826/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-us-and-australia-launch-new-security-partnership |url-status=live }}</ref> Tom Tugendhat, chair of the British Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee, later commented on Twitter that "Bringing together the military-industrial complex of these three allies together is a step-change in the relationship. We've always been interoperable, but this aims at much more. From [[Artificial intelligence|artificial intelligence]] to advanced technology the US, UK and Australia will now be able to cost save by increasing platform sharing and innovation costs. Particularly for the smaller two, that's game-changing."<ref name=et>{{cite news |url=https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2021/09/view-from-washington-aukus-looms-over-ai-and-quantum/ |title=View from Washington: Aukus looms over AI and quantum |author=Dempsey, Paul |date=17 September 2021 |accessdate=18 September 2021 |publisher=Engineering & Technology |archive-date=18 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918033832/https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2021/09/view-from-washington-aukus-looms-over-ai-and-quantum/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Engineering & Technology'' pointed to the increasing expansion of Chinese technology firms such as [[Company:Huawei|Huawei]], which has been excluded from tendering for participation in telecommunications networks by the US and Australia on national security grounds, and government vetoes over the attempted Chinese acquisition of American company [[Company:Lattice Semiconductor|Lattice Semiconductor]] and ongoing British consideration of proposed takeovers of local semiconductor firms.<ref name="et" /> ''Engineering & Technology'' also pointed to the March 2021 statement of the US National Security Commission on AI, of the imperative to intensify local efforts but also "rally our closest allies and partners to defend and compete in the coming era of AI-accelerated competition and conflict".<ref name="et" />

==== Hypersonic and counter-hypersonic ====
Under the partnership, the three countries will cooperate to accelerate development of [[Engineering:Hypersonic weapon|hypersonic missiles]] and defence against such missiles. Hypersonic and counter-hypersonic cooperation was one of four additional areas of cooperation announced on 5 April 2022.<ref name="FactSheet" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-04-05 |title=Australia, UK and US alliance to develop hypersonic missiles and electronic warfare |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-06/aukus-expand-cooperation-hypersonic-weapons-australia-defence/100965748 |access-date=2022-04-06}}</ref> Australia and the US have been cooperating on the development of hypersonic missiles since 2020 after signing an agreement to "flight test full-size prototype hypersonic cruise missiles" under the [[Engineering:SCIFiRE|Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment]] (SCIFiRE).<ref>{{cite press release |author1=Defence Minister Linda Reynolds |title=Australia collaborates with the US to develop and test high speed long-range hypersonic weapons |url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/lreynolds/media-releases/australia-collaborates-us-develop-and-test-high-speed-long-range |website=Department of Defence Ministers |access-date=2 October 2021 |date=1 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=SCIFiRE Hypersonics |url=https://www.airforce.gov.au/our-mission/scifire-hypersonics |website=Royal Australian Air Force |date=16 July 2021 |access-date=2 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Pittaway |first=Nigel |title=Australia, US partner on air-launched hypersonic missile |url=https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2020/11/30/australia-us-partner-on-air-launched-hypersonic-missile/|date=1 December 2020|work=DefenseNews|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=1 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001073423/https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2020/11/30/australia-us-partner-on-air-launched-hypersonic-missile/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Radar capability ====
The three countries announced the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) programme, which will enable them to constantly track, detect, and identify objects in [[Astronomy:Outer space|deep space]] from up to 22,000 miles away from [[Astronomy:Earth|Earth]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=AUKUS: Radars will help counter threat of 'space warfare'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67603379|date=2 December 2023|work=BBC News|access-date=4 December 2023}}</ref> Three ground-based radars will be built, with one in each country. The first of which will be in built in Western Australia and is expected to be operational by 2026, with the radars based in the UK and the US aimed to be completed by 2030.<ref>{{Cite news|title=US, UK and Australia move to track ‘emerging threats’ in space|url=https://www.ft.com/content/42d5bbc4-a9ea-41ae-af38-101def4ce367|date=2 December 2023|work=Financial Times|access-date=4 December 2023}}</ref> Britain's radar is planned for construction at Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire, Wales.<ref>{{Cite news|title=AAUKUS: UK strikes deal with US and Australia to monitor deep space with high-powered radar|url=https://news.sky.com/story/aukus-uk-strikes-deal-with-us-and-australia-to-monitor-deep-space-with-high-powered-radar-13020416|date=2 December 2023|work=Sky News|access-date=4 December 2023}}</ref>

== Partnership expansion ==
The following non-participating nations have expressed interest in joining the partnership or were subject to media attention of potentially joining:
*{{Flag|Canada}}<ref name="plus">{{cite news |date=26 January 2022|title=Is ‘AUKUS Plus’ a Viable Option?|website=The Diplomat|url=https://thediplomat.com/2022/01/is-aukus-plus-a-viable-option/|access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=8 May 2023|title=Canada hopes to join Aukus defence pact, says report|website=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/08/canada-aukus-defence-pact|access-date=6 December 2023}}</ref>
*{{Flag|India}}<ref name="plus"/>
*{{Flag|Japan}}<ref>{{cite news |date=17 March 2023|title=AUKUS sub deal is one pillar of regional security|website=The Japan Times|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2023/03/17/editorials/aukus-summit/|access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="invite">{{cite news |date=30 August 2023|title=Japan and South Korea should be invited to join Aukus, UK parliamentary committee says|website=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/30/aukus-alliance-australia-us-uk-japan-south-korea|access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref>
*{{Flag|New Zealand}}<ref>{{cite news |date=27 July 2023|title=‘Door is open’ for New Zealand to join AUKUS, Blinken says |website=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/27/blinken-new-zealand-aukus-00108455 |access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=27 June 2023|title=Blinken says door open for New Zealand to engage on AUKUS|website=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/blinken-says-door-open-new-zealand-engage-aukus-2023-07-27/|access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref>
*{{Flag|South Korea}}<ref name="invite"/>

== Nuclear proliferation concerns ==
The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty allows non-nuclear-weapon states to produce the [[Physics:Enriched uranium|highly enriched uranium]] for naval reactor fuel.<ref name="princeton">{{Cite journal |last1=Philippe|first1=Sébastien|last2=von Hippel|first2=Frank|title=The Feasibility of Ending HEU Fuel Use in the U.S. Navy |journal=Arms Control Today |date=November 2016 |url=https://sgs.princeton.edu/sites/default/files/2019-11/philippe-vonhippel-2016.pdf |access-date=20 September 2021 |archive-date=28 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628180811/https://sgs.princeton.edu/sites/default/files/2019-11/philippe-vonhippel-2016.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Nevertheless, the agreement to transfer US or UK nuclear submarine technology including possibly highly enriched uranium has been described as an act of nuclear proliferation,<ref name="nuke proliferation">{{Cite news |first1=Alexander |last1=Ward |first2=Quint |last2=Forgey |title=Could AUKUS give Iran a nuclear excuse? |language=en |url=https://politi.co/3nBlDsZ |access-date=18 September 2021 |archive-date=21 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921000718/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/national-security-daily/2021/09/16/could-aukus-give-iran-a-nuclear-excuse-494362 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=17 September 2021 |title=What does the Australian submarine deal mean for non-proliferation? |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/international/2021/09/17/what-does-the-australian-submarine-deal-mean-for-non-proliferation |access-date=18 September 2021 |issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=18 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918170720/https://www.economist.com/international/2021/09/17/what-does-the-australian-submarine-deal-mean-for-non-proliferation |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://thebulletin.org/2021/09/the-new-australia-uk-and-us-nuclear-submarine-announcement-a-terrible-decision-for-the-nonproliferation-regime/|title=The new Australia, UK, and US nuclear submarine announcement: a terrible decision for the nonproliferation regime|date=17 September 2021|access-date=19 September 2021|archive-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918165843/https://thebulletin.org/2021/09/the-new-australia-uk-and-us-nuclear-submarine-announcement-a-terrible-decision-for-the-nonproliferation-regime/|url-status=live}}</ref> and has been criticised by scholars and politicians.<ref name="auto" /><ref>{{Cite news| issn = 0190-8286| last1 = Pager| first1 = Tyler| last2 = Gearan| first2 = Anne| title = U.S. will share nuclear submarine technology with Australia as part of new alliance, a direct challenge to China| newspaper = The Washington Post| accessdate = 20 September 2021| date = 16 September 2021| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/09/15/us-will-share-nuclear-submarine-technology-with-australia-part-new-alliance-direct-challenge-china/| archive-date = 20 September 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210920083047/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/09/15/us-will-share-nuclear-submarine-technology-with-australia-part-new-alliance-direct-challenge-china/| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ispionline.it/en/pubblicazione/aukus-and-consequences-non-proliferation-regime-crisis-31721|title=AUKUS and the Consequences of the Non-Proliferation Regime Crisis|date=21 September 2021|website=ISPI|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922051143/https://www.ispionline.it/en/pubblicazione/aukus-and-consequences-non-proliferation-regime-crisis-31721|url-status=live}}</ref> In the ''[[Physics:Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists|Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists]]'', scholar Sébastien Philippe criticised AUKUS and wrote "we can now expect the proliferation of very sensitive military nuclear technology in the coming years, with literally tons of new nuclear materials under loose or no international safeguards."<ref name="auto" /> James M. Acton of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace wrote that "the nonproliferation implications of the AUKUS submarine deal are both negative and serious. For Australia to operate nuclear-powered submarines, it will have to become the first non-nuclear-weapon state to exercise a loophole that allows it to remove nuclear material from the inspection system of the International Atomic Energy Agency. I have no real concerns that Australia will misuse this material itself, but I am concerned that this removal will set a damaging precedent. In the future, would-be proliferators could use naval reactor programs as cover for the development of nuclear weapons."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://carnegieendowment.org/2021/09/21/why-aukus-submarine-deal-is-bad-for-nonproliferation-and-what-to-do-about-it-pub-85399|title=Why the AUKUS Submarine Deal Is Bad for Nonproliferation—And What to Do About It|first1=James M.|last1=Acton|website=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922051140/https://carnegieendowment.org/2021/09/21/why-aukus-submarine-deal-is-bad-for-nonproliferation-and-what-to-do-about-it-pub-85399|url-status=live}}</ref>

Australia and Brazil<ref>{{cite news|date=14 December 2019|title=Brazil launches first of five navy attack submarines|work=EFE|url=https://www.efe.com/efe/english/world/brazil-launches-first-of-5-navy-attack-submarines/50000262-3843389|url-status=live|access-date=16 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803191304/https://www.efe.com/efe/english/world/brazil-launches-first-of-5-navy-attack-submarines/50000262-3843389|archive-date=3 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=14 December 2018|title=Brazil take first step in program to join nuclear-powered sub club|work={{wipe|Reuters}}|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-submarine/brazil-take-first-step-in-program-to-join-nuclear-powered-sub-club-idUSKBN1OD2CV|url-status=live|access-date=16 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108111147/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-submarine/brazil-take-first-step-in-program-to-join-nuclear-powered-sub-club-idUSKBN1OD2CV|archive-date=8 November 2020}}</ref>{{refn|See {{ship|Brazilian submarine|Álvaro Alberto}}.|group=note}} would be the first countries without nuclear weapons to have nuclear-powered submarines. Concerns were raised that this may lead to increased risk of arms proliferation if other countries follow the same approach because it would involve other countries enriching uranium for naval reactors, potentially creating more avenues to develop material needed for nuclear weapons without the safeguards provided by regular inspections.<ref name=":4">{{cite news|last1=Megerian|last2=Chris|date=15 September 2021|title=U.S. will share nuclear submarine technology with Australia in new defense partnership|language=en-US|work={{wipe|Los Angeles Times}}|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2021-09-15/biden-announce-us-will-share-nuclear-submarine-technology-with-australia|url-status=live|access-date=16 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915234820/https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2021-09-15/biden-announce-us-will-share-nuclear-submarine-technology-with-australia|archive-date=15 September 2021}}</ref> This would not apply in the case of Brazil because the reactor will use low enriched uranium at 7% concentration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elsnorkel.com/2020/08/como-es-el-proyecto-submarino-nuclear-brasilero-2020.html|title=¿Cómo es el proyecto Submarino Nuclear Brasileño? (2020)|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924121344/https://www.elsnorkel.com/2020/08/como-es-el-proyecto-submarino-nuclear-brasilero-2020.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 20% is the minimum level required to make a nuclear weapon.<ref name="princeton" />

== Comments and responses from participating countries ==
[[File:Territorial waters - UK - USA - AUS.svg|thumb|left|Territories and territorial waters of Australia (yellow), the United Kingdom (blue), and the United States (green), including the respective Antarctic claims of Australia and the UK.]]

=== Australia ===
[[File:No AUKUS, No Nuclear Submarines, No War (51737975377).jpg|thumb|A speaker during a December 2021 protest against the AUKUS agreement in Melbourne]]
The federal opposition leader at the time, Anthony Albanese, of the Australian Labor Party, said that his party would support nuclear submarines as long as there was no requirement to have a domestic civil nuclear industry, no possession of nuclear weapons and that the deal is consistent with Australia's responsibilities under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.<ref name="prob">{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-16/australia-us-uk-nuclear-option-china-morrison-biden/100466150 |title=Australia's embrace of nuclear submarine technology cements role as regional foil against China |last1=Probyn |first1=Andrew |work=ABC News |date=16 September 2021 |access-date=16 September 2021 |archive-date=16 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916050718/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-16/australia-us-uk-nuclear-option-china-morrison-biden/100466150 |url-status=live }}</ref> Former Labor prime minister Paul Keating condemned the deal, saying "This arrangement would witness a further dramatic loss of Australian sovereignty, as material dependency on the United States robbed Australia of any freedom or choice in any engagement Australia may deem appropriate".<ref name="prob" /> Former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd warned against overly obtrusive criticism of China and recommended that Australia focus on quietly improving military capability.<ref name="abcr" />

Former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who had signed the original deal for the ''Attack'' class submarines called the decision to scrap the deal "an appalling episode in Australia's international affairs and the consequences of it will endure to our disadvantage for a very long time". He called the actions of his successor as deceitful and that it would damage Australia as foreign nations would not longer be able to trust Australia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Turnbull blows up over Morrison's sub deal |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7449779/turnbull-blows-up-over-morrisons-sub-deal/ |date=29 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929050139/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7449779/turnbull-blows-up-over-morrisons-sub-deal/ |archive-date=29 September 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott called the move "the biggest decision that any Australian government has made in decades" as "it indicates that we are going to stand shoulder to shoulder with the United States and the United Kingdom in meeting the great strategic challenge of our time, which obviously, is China".<ref name="abcr">{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-16/aukus-china-foreign-ministry-condemns-agreement-abbott-rudd/100468900 |title=China condemns AUKUS pact as Tony Abbott calls China a 'common danger' and Kevin Rudd urges caution |last1=Dalzell |first1=Stephanie |work=ABC News |date=16 September 2021 |access-date=16 September 2021 |archive-date=16 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916125140/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-16/aukus-china-foreign-ministry-condemns-agreement-abbott-rudd/100468900 |url-status=live }}</ref> Abbott said that Australia would be safer as a result, and cited China's increasing naval firepower as a justification for the deal.<ref name="abcr" />

The Australian defence minister at the time, Peter Dutton, responded by saying that Australia wanted peace and stability and "an opportunity for Indonesia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka and Korea to continue to develop". Dutton further dismissed "outbursts from China" and said that Australia was a "proud democracy" committed to "enduring peace and this collaboration makes it a safer region ... no amount of propaganda can dismiss the facts".<ref name=dutton-dismissal>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/17/more-us-military-to-deploy-to-australia-as-dutton-dismisses-china-outbursts |title=Australia dismisses China 'outbursts' and flags plans for more US military on home soil |author=Hurst, Daniel |work={{wipe|The Guardian}} |date=17 September 2021 |access-date=18 September 2021 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917233030/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/17/more-us-military-to-deploy-to-australia-as-dutton-dismisses-china-outbursts |url-status=live }}</ref>

Australian Greens leader Adam Bandt criticised the deal, saying that it escalates tensions in the region and "makes Australia less safe".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/greens-adam-bandt-nuclear-submarines-deal/13546076|title=Adam Bandt: nuclear subs deal "makes Australia less safe"|date=17 September 2021|website=ABC Radio National|access-date=19 September 2021|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917222122/https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/greens-adam-bandt-nuclear-submarines-deal/13546076|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2022, the online publication [[Organization:East Asia Forum|East Asia Forum]] (based at the Australian National University) published an article stating that AUKUS highlights the need for Australia to have an advanced industrial base to sustain its planned acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, as well as to support hypersonic and artificial intelligence (AI) military systems.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-30 |title=Aligning AUKUS and the Quad for Australia's defence |url=https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2022/12/01/aligning-aukus-and-the-quad-for-australias-defence/ |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=East Asia Forum |language=en}}</ref>

=== United Kingdom ===
Prime Minister at the time, Boris Johnson said that the deal would create "hundreds of high-skilled jobs" and "preserve security and stability around the world" but said that the relationship with France was "rock solid".<ref name="bbc" /> [[Finance:Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] MP Tom Tugendhat said: "After years of bullying and trade hostility, and watching regional neighbours like the Philippines see encroachment into their waters, Australia didn't have a choice, and nor did the US or UK [to make the deal]".<ref name="coldg">{{cite news|author1=Blair, Gavin|author2=Davidson, Helen|date=16 September 2021|title=China warns US-UK-Australia pact could 'hurt their own interests'|work={{wipe|The Guardian}}|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/16/cold-war-mentality-china-criticises-aukus-us-uk-australia-submarine-pact|accessdate=18 September 2021|archive-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918032429/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/16/cold-war-mentality-china-criticises-aukus-us-uk-australia-submarine-pact|url-status=live}}</ref> Former prime minister Theresa May questioned whether the UK would be forced into a war with China should Taiwan be invaded.<ref>{{cite news |title=Theresa May suggests Aukus submarine pact could drag UK into war with China |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/theresa-may-suggests-aukus-pact-could-drag-uk-into-war-with-china-1203768 |access-date=20 September 2021 |work=inews.co.uk |date=16 September 2021 |language=en |archive-date=18 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918003149/https://inews.co.uk/news/theresa-may-suggests-aukus-pact-could-drag-uk-into-war-with-china-1203768 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Johnson responded to French anger on 21 September by saying "I just think it's time for some of our dearest friends around the world to prenez un grip about this and donnez-moi un break";<ref>{{cite news |last1=Donaldson |first1=Kitty |title=Boris Johnson Mocks French Outrage Over Submarine Spat |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-22/johnson-says-time-for-france-to-get-a-grip-on-submarine-spat?srnd=premium&sref=CIpmV6x8 |access-date=22 September 2021 |work=Bloomberg.com |date=22 September 2021 |language=en |archive-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923111853/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-22/johnson-says-time-for-france-to-get-a-grip-on-submarine-spat?srnd=premium&sref=CIpmV6x8 |url-status=live }}</ref> the latter being broken French for "get a grip and give me a break".<ref>{{cite news |last1=McGee |first1=Luke |title=Analysis: UK and France reheat one of the world's oldest rivalries at a risky time for both |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/25/europe/uk-france-spat-could-have-consequences-intl-gbr-cmd/index.html |access-date=25 September 2021 |work=CNN |archive-date=25 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925041719/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/25/europe/uk-france-spat-could-have-consequences-intl-gbr-cmd/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He made further reference to the deal in his speech at the Conservative Party Conference the next month, touting it as "a supreme example of global Britain in action, of something daring and brilliant that would simply would not have happened if we'd remained in the EU", whilst acknowledging "a certain raucous squawkus from the anti-AUKUS caucus."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Boris Johnson hails AUKUS during party conference speech full of jokes but short on policy - ABC News |url=https://amp.abc.net.au/article/100519746 |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=amp.abc.net.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-07 |title=Boris lampoons critics of AUKUS |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/boris-johnson-lampoons-raucous-squawkus-from-antiaukus-caucus/news-story/9fbfa60ce2bba61ab9ac7a333170dae6 |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=www.theaustralian.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

Foreign Secretary at the time, Liz Truss viewed AUKUS as the beginning of a "Network of Liberty", and also stated "On security we are striking new pacts to protect our sea routes, trade routes and freedoms", adding that "We are in talks with Japan about better military access and operational support between our two countries [and] we want closer security ties with key allies like India and Canada in everything from fighting cyber to traditional defence capability".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bourke|first=Latika|date=3 October 2021|title=Britain wants more AUKUS deals to fight China, Russia|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/britain-wants-more-aukus-deals-to-fight-china-russia-20211004-p58ww4.html|access-date=4 October 2021|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}</ref>

Former leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn called the partnership "crazy beyond belief", with Labour members voting to condemn the partnership as dangerous to world peace.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7445178/aukus-pact-crazy-beyond-belief-corbyn/|title=AUKUS pact 'crazy beyond belief', Corbyn|first=Geraldine|last=Scott|date=26 September 2021|website=The Canberra Times|access-date=27 September 2021|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927162824/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7445178/aukus-pact-crazy-beyond-belief-corbyn/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=27 September 2021|title=Labour members declare Aukus military pact 'dangerous' threat to world peace|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-aukus-pact-world-peace-b1927877.html|website=The Independent|access-date=27 September 2021|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927164008/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-aukus-pact-world-peace-b1927877.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The British High Commissioner to Australia Victoria Treadell told ABC Radio "This is not an issue of this Anglosphere and I really do think we have to move away from defining countries like Australia, US and the UK as Anglosphere".

=== United States ===
President Joe Biden stated that the deal was a way to "address both the current strategic environment in the (Indo-Pacific) region and how it may evolve".<ref>{{cite web|date=16 September 2021|title=Why is AUKUS formed? What impact it will have on China?|url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/joe-biden-announces-indo-pacific-alliance-aukus-with-uk-australia-ahead-of-quad-summit-9968881.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916065125/https://www.firstpost.com/world/joe-biden-announces-indo-pacific-alliance-aukus-with-uk-australia-ahead-of-quad-summit-9968881.html|archive-date=16 September 2021|access-date=16 September 2021|website=Firstpost|language=en}}</ref> After a call between the French and US presidents, the White House acknowledged the crisis could have been averted if there had been open consultations between allies. It was agreed the process would continue in such manner.<ref name="consult">{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210922-macron-biden-agree-to-soothe-tensions-after-submarine-row|title=Macron, Biden agree to soothe tensions after submarine row|date=22 September 2021|website=France 24|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923071753/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210922-macron-biden-agree-to-soothe-tensions-after-submarine-row|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Joint Statement on the Phone Call between President Biden and President Macron |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/09/22/joint-statement-on-the-phone-call-between-president-biden-and-president-macron/ |website=The White House |access-date=7 October 2021 |date=22 September 2021}}</ref>

== International responses ==
=== Japan ===
On 12 April 2022, [[Company:Sankei Shimbun|Sankei Shimbun]] reported that the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia were inquiring about Japan's participation in the security framework of AUKUS. The newspaper added that the aim of said negotiations was related to the incorporation of Japanese [[Engineering:Hypersonic weapon|hypersonic weapon]] development and the strengthening of [[Social:Electronic warfare|electronic warfare]] capabilities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=INC |first=SANKEI DIGITAL |date=2022-04-12 |title=＜独自＞AUKUS参加、米英豪が日本に打診 極超音速兵器など技術力期待 |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20220412-73VOZUMHBVKTFFHLLJHSZHUYQU/ |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=[[Company:Sankei Shimbun|Sankei Shimbun]] |language=ja}}</ref> 
Prior to this, in November 2021, former prime minister Shinzo Abe in a virtual address to the Sydney Dialogue, welcomed the creation of AUKUS in the midst of an increasingly severe security environment, and called for greater Japan-AUKUS cooperation and integration concerning [[Artificial intelligence|artificial intelligence]] and [[Cyberwarfare|cyberwarfare]] capabilities.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Takenaka |first=Kiyoshi |date=19 November 2022 |title=Ex-Japan PM Abe calls for Tokyo's cooperation with AUKUS in AI, cyber |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/ex-japan-pm-abe-calls-tokyos-cooperation-with-aukus-ai-cyber-2021-11-19/ |access-date=2022-04-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=19 November 2021 |title=Japan should work with Aukus on cybersecurity and AI, says Shinzo Abe |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/nov/19/japan-should-work-with-aukus-on-cybersecurity-and-ai-says-shinzo-abe |work={{wipe|The Guardian}} |access-date=5 December 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite video|date=19 November 2021 |title=The Sydney Dialogue keynote address: Former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzō Abe |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvRDeLrI4Lg |format= |medium=[[Company:YouTube|YouTube]] |language= |publisher=ASPI |accessdate=5 December 2022 }}</ref>
The US denied inviting Japan into the security alliance, with Jen Psaki stating that Sankei Shimbun's report was "inaccurate".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-14 |title=No 'Jaukus' plan: US denies inviting Japan to join security alliance |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3174185/us-denies-inviting-japan-join-aukus-security-alliance |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> 
This was followed up by a refutation from Hirokazu Matsuno, the Japanese chief cabinet secretary.<ref>{{Citation |title=Japan denies report of invite to join AUKUS to develop hypersonic weapons |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2022/04/13/japan-denies-report-of-invite-to-join-aukus-to-develop-hypersonic-weapons.html |publication-date=April 13, 2022 |publisher=The Week}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=There is no fact that the United States, Britain and Australia have asked Japan to participate in AUKUS - Chief Cabinet Secretary |url=https://jp.reuters.com/article/matsuno-aukus-idJPKCN2M505B?feedType=RSS&feedName=special20 |publication-date=April 12, 2022 |publisher=Reuters JP}}</ref> On 10 December 2022, Australia's Minister for Defence announced their desire for Japan to join the partnership.<ref name="ABCJapan">{{Cite news |date=2022-12-09 |title=Australia seeks to include Japan in AUKUS defence pact with US and UK |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-09/aukus-australia-japan-richard-marles-pact/101757248 |access-date=2022-12-09}}</ref>

On 14 March 2023, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio expressed his support for Australia's planned acquisition of US-made nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-14 |title=Japan welcomes Australia's planned nuclear submarine acquisition under AUKUS |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230314_22/ |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=NHK |language=en}}</ref>

=== France ===
The French government received official notification from Australia that the ''Attack''-class submarine project was to be cancelled only a few hours before it was publicly announced.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Probyn |first1=Andrew |title=French Ambassador says Australia's decision to scrap submarine deal was a breach of trust |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-17/french-ambassador-australia-decision-nuclear-submarine-aukus/100472704 |access-date=17 September 2021 |work=ABC News |date=17 September 2021 |language=en-AU |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917093150/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-17/french-ambassador-australia-decision-nuclear-submarine-aukus/100472704 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ABC-15-sep" /> ''Le Monde'' reported that the original cost of the project in 2016 was €35&nbsp;billion of which €8&nbsp;billion (A$12&nbsp;billion) was to go to French companies.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bezat |first1=Jean-Michel |title=Sous-marins : la fin du " contrat du siècle " avec l'Australie porte un coup à l'image de Naval Group |trans-title=Submarines: the end of the 'contract of the century' with Australia strikes a blow to the image of Naval Group |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2021/09/16/sous-marins-la-fin-du-contrat-du-siecle-avec-l-australie-porte-un-coup-a-l-image-de-naval-group_6094891_3210.html |newspaper=Le Monde |language=French |date=16 September 2021 |access-date=18 September 2021 |archive-date=18 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918064047/https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2021/09/16/sous-marins-la-fin-du-contrat-du-siecle-avec-l-australie-porte-un-coup-a-l-image-de-naval-group_6094891_3210.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ASPIMay16">{{cite news |last1=Cowan |first1=Christopher |title=The 'Contract of the Century': France reacts to the Australian submarine deal |url=https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-contract-of-the-century-france-reacts-to-the-australian-submarine-deal/ |access-date=13 October 2021 |work=The Strategist |publisher=The Australian Strategic Policy Institute |date=3 May 2016}}</ref> The project was reportedly going to employ 4,000 people in France over six years at Naval Group and its 200 subcontractors.<ref name="ASPIMay16"/> The French government was angered by both the cancellation of the ''Attack''-class submarine project and not being made aware of the negotiations that led to the AUKUS agreement.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tharoor |first1=Ishaan |title=A landmark submarine deal may be aimed at China, but it has upset France |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/09/17/aukus-submarine-deal-shift/ |access-date=17 September 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=17 September 2021 |archive-date=21 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921000732/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/09/17/aukus-submarine-deal-shift/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In a joint statement, French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and armed forces minister Florence Parly expressed disappointment at Australia's decision to abandon their joint submarine program with France.<ref>{{cite web |title=Communiqué conjoint de Jean-Yves Le Drian et de Florence Parly |date=16 September 2021 |url=https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/australie/evenements/article/communique-conjoint-de-jean-yves-le-drian-et-de-florence-parly-16-09-2021 |access-date=16 September 2021 |website=France Diplomatie |publisher=Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères |language=fr |archive-date=16 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916004004/https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/australie/evenements/article/communique-conjoint-de-jean-yves-le-drian-et-de-florence-parly-16-09-2021 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="bbc" />

Le Drian further stated in a radio interview that the contract termination was a "stab in the back".<ref name="bbc" /> On 17 September, France recalled its ambassadors from Australia and the US, Jean-Pierre Thébault and Philippe Étienne respectively.<ref name="recall" /> Despite tension in the past, France had never before withdrawn its ambassador to the United States.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wadhams |first1=Nick |last2=Adghirni |first2=Samy |last3=Nussbaum |first3=Ania |title=France Recalls Its Ambassador to U.S. for First Time Over Subs |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-17/france-recalls-u-s-australian-ambassadors-over-submarine-row?srnd=premium&sref=CIpmV6x8 |access-date=18 September 2021 |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |date=17 September 2021 |language=en }}</ref> In a statement, Le Drian said that the "exceptional decision is justified by the exceptional gravity of the [AUKUS] announcements" and that the snap cancellation of the submarine contract "constitute[d] unacceptable behaviour between allies and partners".<ref name="recall" /> French president Emmanuel Macron has not commented but is reported to have been "furious" about the turn of events. In response to questions about the Australia-EU trade deal currently being negotiated, French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune stated that he doesn't see how France can trust Australia.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=20 September 2021|title=Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand could be the big winner of Aukus fallout|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/451895/geoffrey-miller-new-zealand-could-be-the-big-winner-of-aukus-fallout|access-date=20 September 2021|website=RNZ|language=en-nz|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921000750/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/451895/geoffrey-miller-new-zealand-could-be-the-big-winner-of-aukus-fallout|url-status=live}}</ref> Arnaud Danjean, a French MEP, said that "Australians can expect more than a delay in concluding the Free Trade Agreement with the EU".<ref name=":3" /> French Lowy Institute policy analyst Hervé Lemahieu said the diplomatic damage from the cancellation will take years to repair and leave a lasting legacy of mistrust".<ref name="recall" /> After a call between the French and US presidents, the French ambassador returned to the US on 30 September.<ref name="consult" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/574752-french-ambassador-back-in-the-us/|title=French ambassador back in the US|date=30 September 2021|first=Joseph|last=Choi}}</ref>

Beaune described the United Kingdom as a junior partner and vassal of the United States due to the partnership, saying in an interview: "Our British friends explained to us they were leaving the EU to create Global Britain. We can see that this is a return into the American lap and a form of accepted vassalisation."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/09/18/france-slams-uk-americas-junior-partner-desperate-prove-global/amp/|title=France calls UK a 'junior partner' in submarine deal as Germany warns it threatens Western unity|website=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=19 September 2021|archive-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918185905/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/09/18/france-slams-uk-americas-junior-partner-desperate-prove-global/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref> Le Drian stated that "We have recalled our ambassadors to [Canberra and Washington] to re-evaluate the situation. With Britain, there is no need. We know their constant opportunism. So there is no need to bring our ambassador back to explain."<ref>{{cite news|date=19 September 2021|title=PM Morrison rejects France's accusation that Australia lied over cancelled submarine deal|publisher=France 24|url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210919-france-accuses-australia-and-us-of-lying-over-cancelled-submarine-contract|access-date=19 September 2021|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921000719/https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210919-france-accuses-australia-and-us-of-lying-over-cancelled-submarine-contract|url-status=live}}</ref> A Franco-British defence summit was cancelled.<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 September 2021|title=UK-France defence summit cancelled in Aukus row|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/19/uk-france-defence-summit-cancelled-in-aukus-row|url-status=live|access-date=19 September 2021|website=The Guardian|archive-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920095119/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/19/uk-france-defence-summit-cancelled-in-aukus-row|publisher=The Hill}}</ref>

Some opposition politicians in France, such as Xavier Bertrand, Jordan Bardella, and Fabien Roussel, criticised the French government and demanded that France leave NATO, with Christian Jacob as well as demanding a parliamentary inquiry.<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 September 2021|title=Crise des sous-marins: Macron appelé par ses opposants à revoir la position de la France vis-à-vis de l'Otan|trans-title=Submarine crisis: Macron called by his opponents to review France's position vis-à-vis NATO|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/entry/sous-marins-australiens-la-sortie-de-lotan-reclamee-par-les-oppositions_fr_61474aa4e4b0d9b6de97d6e0|url-status=live|access-date=19 September 2021|website=Le HuffPost|language=fr|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921000720/https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/entry/sous-marins-australiens-la-sortie-de-lotan-reclamee-par-les-oppositions_fr_61474aa4e4b0d9b6de97d6e0}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=26 September 2021|title=Crise des sous-marins : Christian Jacob demande la convocation d'une commission d'enquête parlementaire|url=https://www.sudouest.fr/politique/crise-des-sous-marins-christian-jacob-demande-la-convocation-d-une-commission-d-enquete-parlementaire-6208661.php|access-date=26 September 2021|archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926132451/https://www.sudouest.fr/politique/crise-des-sous-marins-christian-jacob-demande-la-convocation-d-une-commission-d-enquete-parlementaire-6208661.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

A foreign ministers meeting between France, Germany, the UK, and the US had been postponed, and a ministerial meeting between Australia, France, and India was cancelled.<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 September 2021|title=AUKUS deal sinks meeting on UN sidelines|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7441822/aukus-deal-sinks-meeting-on-un-sidelines/|website=The Canberra Times|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923221323/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7441822/aukus-deal-sinks-meeting-on-un-sidelines/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=australia: Fuming France cancels meet with Australia, India {{pipe}} India News – Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/fuming-france-cancels-meet-with-oz-india/articleshow/86468090.cms|website=The Times of India|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923222928/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/fuming-france-cancels-meet-with-oz-india/articleshow/86468090.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> France however, contacted India to talk about strengthening their cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Macron dials Modi as France's US, Australia ties plunge into crisis {{pipe}} India News – Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/macron-dials-modi-as-french-us-oz-ties-plunge-into-crisis/articleshow/86408735.cms|website=The Times of India|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923122842/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/macron-dials-modi-as-french-us-oz-ties-plunge-into-crisis/articleshow/86408735.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> France's foreign commerce minister declined a meeting with his Australian counterpart.<ref name="Ouest-France 2021-09-24">{{cite news|date=24 September 2021|title=Le ministre du Commerce extérieur Franck Riester refuse de rencontrer son homologue australien|language=fr|trans-title=Foreign Trade Minister Franck Riester refuses to meet his Australian counterpart|website=Ouest-France}}</ref>

French president Macron said that Europe needs to stop being naïve when it comes to defending its interests and build its own military capacity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/macron-tells-europe-to-stop-being-naive-after-france-signs-defence-deal-with-greece/articleshow/86588742.cms|title=macron: Macron tells Europe to 'stop being naive' after France signs defence deal with Greece - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=28 September 2021|archive-date=28 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928175828/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/macron-tells-europe-to-stop-being-naive-after-france-signs-defence-deal-with-greece/articleshow/86588742.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the ousting of Scott Morrison's government after the 2022 Australian federal election, the new Labor government led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed to a €555 million (US$584 million) settlement with French defence contractor [[Company:Naval Group|Naval Group]]. In response, French defence minister Lecornu said that France aims to rebuild its relationship with Australia. In addition, Albanese announced plans to travel to France to reset bilateral relations between the two countries.<ref name="CNN2022">{{Cite web |last1=Engels |first1=Jorge |last2=Kwon |first2=Jake |last3=Ravindran |first3=Jeevan |date=11 June 2023 |title=France commits to rebuilding relationship with Australia after failed submarine deal |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/11/europe/france-australia-submarine-aukus-eu-trade-intl/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611105031/https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/11/europe/france-australia-submarine-aukus-eu-trade-intl/index.html |archive-date=11 June 2022 |access-date=2022-06-11 |work=CNN}}</ref><ref name="AJ2022">{{cite news |title=Australia agrees payout to end France submarine spat |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/11/australia-agrees-payout-to-end-france-submarine-spat |access-date=12 June 2022 |work=Al Jazeera |date=11 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611134607/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/11/australia-agrees-payout-to-end-france-submarine-spat |archive-date=11 June 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

===China ===
The People's Republic of China (PRC)'s foreign affairs department spokesperson Zhao Lijian said, "The nuclear submarine cooperation between the US, the UK, and Australia has seriously undermined regional peace and stability, intensified the arms race and undermined international non-proliferation efforts".<ref name="Lijian16Sep">{{cite web |title=Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on September 16, 2021 |url=http://au.china-embassy.org/eng/fyrth/t1907498.htm |website=Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Commonwealth of Australia |date=16 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007135003/http://au.china-embassy.org/eng/fyrth/t1907498.htm |archive-date=7 October 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Zhao also said "The three countries should discard the Cold War zero-sum mentality and narrow geopolitical perspective".<ref>{{cite web |title=Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on September 22, 2021 |url=http://au.china-embassy.org/eng/fyrth/t1908814.htm |website=Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Commonwealth of Australia |date=22 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007134958/http://au.china-embassy.org/eng/fyrth/t1908814.htm |archive-date=7 October 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Spokesperson Hua Chunying said "China is firmly opposed to the US, the UK and Australia's malicious exploitation of loopholes in the Nuclear non-proliferation treaty and the [[Organization:International Atomic Energy Agency|International Atomic Energy Agency]] safeguards mechanism".<ref>{{cite web |title=Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on September 27, 2021 |url=http://au.china-embassy.org/eng/fyrth/t1910208.htm |website=Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Commonwealth of Australia |date=27 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007134959/http://au.china-embassy.org/eng/fyrth/t1910208.htm |archive-date=7 October 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Chinese Communist Party-owned tabloid ''Global Times'', which is known for being more aggressive than official government statements, denounced Australia and said it had "turned itself into an adversary of China" and warned that Australia could be targeted by China as a warning to other countries if it acted "with bravado" in alliance with the US, or by being "militarily assertive".<ref name="coldg" /> It further told Australia to avoid "provocation" or else China would "certainly punish it with no mercy",<ref name="dutton-dismissal" /> and concluded "Thus, Australian troops are also most likely to be the first batch of western soldiers to waste their lives in the South China Sea".<ref name="coldg" />

A Chinese Communist Party official, Victor Gao — former interpreter for [[Biography:Deng Xiaoping|Deng Xiaoping]] and vice president of a Beijing think tank, the Center for China and Globalization — considered the move to be a violation of international law and warned that Australia's moves towards nuclear-powered submarines would lead to the country "being targeted with nuclear weapons", in a future nuclear war.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Henderson |first1=Gerard |title=Subs pact makes us a target for nuke attack? Gao figure |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/subs-pact-makes-us-a-target-for-nuke-attack-gao-figure/news-story/b2bab6a6a154cfd7571d45b1e18442fa |access-date=7 October 2021 |work=The Australian |date=25 September 2021}}</ref>

The PRC ambassador to France Lu Shaye urged the new alliance to fulfill their nuclear non proliferation obligations and said [[Earth:Asia-Pacific|Asia-Pacific]] needs jobs, not submarines, and urged France to boost cooperation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/f99307c1-f827-4d7e-ba07-e4461b21a077|title=China says Asia needs jobs over submarines in fresh Aukus salvo|first=Edward|last=White|newspaper=Financial Times|date=22 September 2021|url-access=subscription|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922110053/https://www.ft.com/content/f99307c1-f827-4d7e-ba07-e4461b21a077|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Zhang |first=Rachel |date=24 September 2021|title=China urges France to boost cooperation in wakes of Aukus pact|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3149977/china-urges-france-boost-cooperation-wake-aukus-submarine-deal|work=South China Morning Post|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924130608/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3149977/china-urges-france-boost-cooperation-wake-aukus-submarine-deal|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Other countries ===
* {{flagcountry|Canada}} {{ndash}} The deal was announced in the midst of the 2021 Canadian federal election. Opposition politicians quickly attacked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over Canada's exclusion from the partnership, to which Trudeau responded by stating that "This is a deal for nuclear submarines, which Canada is not currently or any time soon in the market for. Australia is." Leader of the Official Opposition Erin O'Toole stated that he would seek to join the alliance if elected.<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 September 2021|title=Trudeau lambasted over exclusion from US-led military alliance as election nears|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/17/justin-trudeau-criticism-aukus-canada-federal-election|access-date=22 September 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922034856/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/17/justin-trudeau-criticism-aukus-canada-federal-election|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|Denmark}} {{ndash}} Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that Joe Biden is "very loyal" to Europe and that "we should not turn... challenges, which will always exist between allies, into something they should not be." The Prime Minister also said she did not understand the criticism coming from Paris and Brussels.<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 September 2021|title=Denmark sides against EU, with Biden in AUKUS submarine row|url=https://www.thelocal.dk/20210922/denmark-sides-against-eu-with-biden-in-aukus-submarine-row/|access-date=22 September 2021|website=The Local.dk|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922155353/https://www.thelocal.dk/20210922/denmark-sides-against-eu-with-biden-in-aukus-submarine-row/|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|Germany}} {{ndash}} German Minister of State for Europe Michael Roth described the row as a "wake up call" and stated that the EU must speak with one voice and that rebuilding lost trust will not be easy.<ref name="dwreact" /><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Blenkinsop|first1=Phillip|last2=Emmot|first2=Robin|date=21 September 2021|title=Germany warns of lost U.S. trust as France wins EU support|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-weighs-australia-options-urges-britain-restore-trust-2021-09-21/|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|work=Reuters|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921124237/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-weighs-australia-options-urges-britain-restore-trust-2021-09-21/}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|Indonesia}} {{ndash}} The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed concerns about the implications of the Australian acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines for "the continuing arms race and power projection in the region." It called on Canberra to maintain its commitment to regional peace and stability.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/aukus-nuclear-submarine-china-australia-b1921992.html|title=Indonesia urges China and Australia not to embark on 'arms race'|date=19 September 2021|website=The Independent|access-date=19 September 2021|archive-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918124747/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/aukus-nuclear-submarine-china-australia-b1921992.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Barrett|first=Chris|date=17 September 2021|title='Deeply concerned': Indonesia uneasy about Australian nuclear subs|url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/asia/deeply-concerned-indonesia-uneasy-about-australian-nuclear-subs-20210917-p58skz.html|access-date=18 September 2021|work=Brisbane Times|language=en|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917125858/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/asia/deeply-concerned-indonesia-uneasy-about-australian-nuclear-subs-20210917-p58skz.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Septiari |first1=Dian |title=Indonesia chides Australia as Indo-Pacific tensions rise |url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/seasia/2021/09/17/indonesia-chides-australia-as-indo-pacific-tensions-rise.html |access-date=18 September 2021 |work=The Jakarta Post |date=18 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918041932/https://www.thejakartapost.com/seasia/2021/09/17/indonesia-chides-australia-as-indo-pacific-tensions-rise.html |archive-date=18 September 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Indonesia later cancelled a planned visit by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison amid the fallout of the AUKUS deal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/defence-and-foreign-affairs/pms-trip-to-indonesia-cancelled-amid-fallout-over-aukus-alliance/video/4d36d6d5443d240c5e32f4f8d9e071ef|title=PM's trip to Indonesia cancelled amid fallout over AUKUS alliance|date=18 September 2021|publisher=Sky News|access-date=19 September 2021|archive-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918051011/https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/defence-and-foreign-affairs/pms-trip-to-indonesia-cancelled-amid-fallout-over-aukus-alliance/video/4d36d6d5443d240c5e32f4f8d9e071ef|url-status=live}}</ref> On 22 September 2021, the Commission I of the People's Representative Council urged President Joko Widodo to take a strong stand over the AUKUS deal through the auspices of [[Organization:ASEAN|ASEAN]]. Commission I member Rizki Aulia Rahman described the formation of AUKUS as a threat to Indonesian national defence and sovereignty. The Foreign Ministry responded that they were working on a response to the issues posed by AUKUS.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Alfons|first=Matius|date=22 September 2021|title=Pemerintah Diminta Ambil Sikap Soal AUKUS, Jangan Cuma Bilang Khawatir|url=https://news.detik.com/berita/d-5735192/pemerintah-diminta-ambil-sikap-soal-aukus-jangan-cuma-bilang-khawatir|url-status=live|access-date=22 September 2021|website=detiknews|language=id-ID|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922191102/https://news.detik.com/berita/d-5735192/pemerintah-diminta-ambil-sikap-soal-aukus-jangan-cuma-bilang-khawatir}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|Kiribati}} {{ndash}} President Taneti Maamuu said that the deal puts the region at risk and that he was not consulted in relation to it. In the past the UK and US tested nuclear weapons in Kiribati, so they are concerned about nuclear submarines being developed. Kiribati recently switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to the China mainland. Beijing told Kiribati it is listening, whereas they felt that Australia is not listening to them. Mr Maamau said he is looking to Australia to show leadership as it debates a commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-28/kiribati-president-criticises-australia-defence-submarine-deal/100495894|title=Kiribati President says AUKUS nuclear submarine deal puts Pacific at risk|date=28 September 2021|via=www.abc.net.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927195855/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-28/kiribati-president-criticises-australia-defence-submarine-deal/100495894|archive-date=27 September 2021|url-status=live|access-date=27 September 2021}}</ref> Mr Maamuu also stated he was surprised at the absence of "courtesy" Australia displayed in not discussing the proposed agreement with its Pacific "neighbours".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-09-27 |title=Kiribati President says AUKUS nuclear submarine deal puts Pacific at risk |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-28/kiribati-president-criticises-australia-defence-submarine-deal/100495894 |access-date=2023-04-20}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|Malaysia}} {{ndash}} Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he had raised concerns about the project with Mr. Morrison, and warned that the nuclear submarine project might heighten military tensions in Asia. He urged all parties to avoid any provocation, as well as an arms race in the region.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-19/malaysia-indonesia-criticise-australian-submarine-about-face/100474056|title=Malaysia warns Australia nuclear subproject could 'provoke other powers' in Asia|newspaper=ABC News|date=18 September 2021|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=19 September 2021|archive-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918175217/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-19/malaysia-indonesia-criticise-australian-submarine-about-face/100474056|url-status=live}}</ref> "At the same time, it will provoke other powers to take more aggressive action in this region, especially in the South China Sea," Mr Yaakob said.<ref name="auto1" /> Ismail Sabri also stressed the importance of respecting and adhering to Malaysia's existing stance and approach to nuclear-powered submarines operating in Malaysian waters, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2021/09/865683/malaysia-nyatakan-kebimbangan-terhadap-aukus|title=Malaysia nyatakan kebimbangan terhadap AUKUS|access-date=19 September 2021|publisher=Berita Harian|language=ms|archive-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918155627/https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2021/09/865683/malaysia-nyatakan-kebimbangan-terhadap-aukus|url-status=live}}</ref> Australia has since dispatched officials to [[Place:Kuala Lumpur|Kuala Lumpur]] to clarify about the deal. Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Saifuddin Abdullah agreed to the suggestion of Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marise Payne for an in-depth briefing over the matter.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://themalaysianreserve.com/2021/09/20/australian-officials-to-clarify-on-aukus-with-malaysia/|title=Australian officials to clarify on AUKUS with Malaysia|publisher=The Malaysian Reserve|first=Azreen|last=Hani|date=20 September 2021|url-status=live|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922022034/https://themalaysianreserve.com/2021/09/20/australian-officials-to-clarify-on-aukus-with-malaysia/}}</ref> In response to the announcement of the agreement Malaysia's defence Minister proposed an immediate working trip to China to discuss AUKUS, as they wanted to get views of AUKUS from China's Leadership.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7441931/malaysia-to-seek-chinas-view-on-aukus/|publisher=Canberra Times|date=22 September 2021|title=Malaysia to seek China's view on AUKUS|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927190712/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7441931/malaysia-to-seek-chinas-view-on-aukus/|archive-date=27 September 2021|url-status=live|access-date=27 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3149713/malaysia-plans-china-consultations-anxiety-simmers-over-aukus|title=Malaysia plans China consultations as anxiety simmers over Aukus defence pact|date=22 September 2021|website=South China Morning Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927191106/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3149713/malaysia-plans-china-consultations-anxiety-simmers-over-aukus|archive-date=27 September 2021|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|New Zealand}} {{ndash}} On 16 September 2021, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern issued a statement reiterating New Zealand's stance that no nuclear submarines were permitted in its waters, while also stating that they were not approached about the partnership and that she would not have expected them to have been approached.<ref name="Guard-Sep-15">{{cite news |last1=McClure |first1=Tess |title=Aukus submarines banned from New Zealand as pact exposes divide with western allies |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/16/aukus-submarines-banned-as-pact-exposes-divide-between-new-zealand-and-western-allies |access-date=16 September 2021 |work={{wipe|The Guardian}} |date=16 September 2021 |language=en |archive-date=16 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916032228/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/16/aukus-submarines-banned-as-pact-exposes-divide-between-new-zealand-and-western-allies |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Russell |title=New Zealand a winner in AUKUS agreement, but risks remain – experts |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-zealand-a-winner-in-aukus-agreement-but-risks-remain-experts/XXLPLLSA57BZXHOJ6DUOLUJ7Q4/ |access-date=18 September 2021 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=16 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916165525/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-zealand-a-winner-in-aukus-agreement-but-risks-remain-experts/XXLPLLSA57BZXHOJ6DUOLUJ7Q4/ |archive-date=16 September 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Ardern said the leaders of the three member states were "very well versed" in New Zealand's nuclear-free policy and would have "understood our likely position on the establishment of nuclear-powered submarines".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ensor|first=Jamie|date=16 September 2021|title=AUKUS's impact on New Zealand: Nuclear policy 'unchanged', Five Eyes 'will endure' in face of new defence pact|language=en|work=Newshub|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/09/aukus-s-impact-on-new-zealand-nuclear-policy-unchanged-five-eyes-will-endure-in-face-of-new-defence-pact.html|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917050854/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/09/aukus-s-impact-on-new-zealand-nuclear-policy-unchanged-five-eyes-will-endure-in-face-of-new-defence-pact.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Notably, Ardern was the first foreign politician that Morrison informed prior to the public announcement.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-11|title=AUKUS adds ambiguity to the Australia–New Zealand alliance|url=https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/aukus-adds-ambiguity-to-the-australia-new-zealand-alliance/|access-date=2021-10-27|website=The Strategist|language=en-AU}}</ref> Judith Collins, the leader of the National Party, expressed disappointment that New Zealand was not approached to join the partnership for the non-submarine co-operation areas.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ensor |first1=Jamie |title=AUKUS: Jacinda Ardern welcomes United Kingdom, United States engagement in Pacific, says NZ nuclear stance 'unchanged' |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/09/aukus-jacinda-ardern-welcomes-united-kingdom-united-states-engagement-in-pacific-says-nz-nuclear-stance-unchanged.html |access-date=11 March 2023 |work=Newshub |date=16 September 2021}}</ref> In March 2023, New Zealand's defence minister Andrew Little said New Zealand had been offered the opportunity to discuss joining AUKUS for the non-submarine co-operation areas. New Zealand has indicated it was "willing to explore" the proposal.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Zealand may join Aukus pact's non-nuclear component |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/28/new-zealand-may-join-aukus-pacts-non-nuclear-component |access-date=28 March 2023 |work={{wipe|The Guardian}} |date=28 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Patterson |first1=Jane |title=AUKUS participation talks highlight New Zealand's nuclear-free status |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/486980/aukus-participation-talks-highlight-new-zealand-s-nuclear-free-status |access-date=26 April 2023 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=29 March 2023}}</ref> In December 2023, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said that New Zealand was open to joining the non-nuclear pillar of the AUKUS agreement during a state visit to Australia.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dexter |first1=Giles |title=Luxon 'exploring' non-nuclear part of AUKUS pact |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/505227/luxon-exploring-non-nuclear-part-of-aukus-pact |access-date=21 December 2023 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=21 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221011514/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/505227/luxon-exploring-non-nuclear-part-of-aukus-pact |archive-date=21 December 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|DPRK}} Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) {{ndash}} The Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued a statement condemning the deal as "extremely undesirable and dangerous" which would "upset the strategic balance in the Asia-Pacific region", potentially destroying the nuclear non-proliferation system,<ref>{{Cite web| title = N.Korea slams AUKUS submarine deal| work = NHK World-Japan| accessdate = 20 September 2021| date = 20 September 2021| url = https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210920_10/| archive-date = 21 September 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210921000720/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210920_10/| url-status = live}}</ref><ref name=38north-20211209>{{cite news |url=https://www.38north.org/2021/12/what-aukus-means-to-north-korea/ |title=What AUKUS Means to North Korea |last=Panda |first=Jagannath |publisher=The Henry L. Stimson Center |work=38 North |date=9 December 2021 |access-date=10 December 2021}}</ref> and criticising the "double-dealing" of the US which "seriously threatens the world peace and stability" stating that North Korea will take counteraction if the alliance threatens the country.<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 September 2021|title=North Korea slams AUKUS deal as 'undesirable and dangerous' {{!}} NK News|url=https://www.nknews.org/2021/09/north-korea-slams-aukus-deal-as-undesirable-and-dangerous/|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|website=NK News – North Korea News|language=en-US|archive-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920093747/https://www.nknews.org/2021/09/north-korea-slams-aukus-deal-as-undesirable-and-dangerous/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Answer of Chief of Foreign News Section of Department of Press and Information of DPRK Foreign Ministry|url=http://kcna.kp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216183907/http://kcna.kp/|archive-date=16 February 2017|access-date=21 September 2021|publisher=Korean Central News Agency|language=en-US}}</ref>
* {{PNG}} — Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister stated that he wanted to protect the "peace and serenity" of the region and that "as far as securing peace is concerned, we've got no problem, but if such activities bring disharmony in the region then we have an issue".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-03 |title=AUKUS and Australia's relations in the Pacific |url=https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2021/11/04/aukus-and-australias-relations-in-the-pacific/ |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=East Asia Forum |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|The Philippines}} {{ndash}} Through a statement released by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippines welcomed the signing of the trilateral security partnership.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/statements-and-advisoriesupdate/29484-statement-of-foreign-affairs-teodoro-l-locsin-jr-on-the-australia-united-kingdom-united-states-aukus-enhanced-trilateral-security-partnership|title=Statement of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. on the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) enhanced trilateral security partnership|access-date=21 September 2021|publisher=Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921032023/https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/statements-and-advisoriesupdate/29484-statement-of-foreign-affairs-teodoro-l-locsin-jr-on-the-australia-united-kingdom-united-states-aukus-enhanced-trilateral-security-partnership|url-status=live}}</ref> Foreign Secretary, Teodoro Locsin Jr. highlighted that "the enhancement of a near-abroad ally's ability to project power should restore and keep the balance rather than destabilise it", Secretary Locsin further added that without an actual presence of nuclear weapons within the region, the Philippines therefore finds that the AUKUS move would not constitute a violation of the 1995 Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone treaty.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-supports-australia-nuclear-sub-pact-counter-china-2021-09-21/|title=Philippines supports Australia nuclear sub pact to counter China|access-date=21 September 2021|work={{wipe|Reuters}}|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921070607/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-supports-australia-nuclear-sub-pact-counter-china-2021-09-21/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-20/australia-ambassador-asean-aukus-statement/100477086|title=Australia seeks to allay South-East Asian concerns over AUKUS nuclear submarine deal|author=Dziedzic, Stephen|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=21 September 2021|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921024101/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-20/australia-ambassador-asean-aukus-statement/100477086|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|Portugal}} {{ndash}} Portuguese Minister Augusto Santos Silva said "In general, we ourselves express our solidarity with France, which has not been treated with due respect in this process", adding that "clearly, the form was not one that should have been followed".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2021-09-21/portugal-stands-with-france-against-aukus/62507|title=Portugal stands with France against AUKUS|website=www.theportugalnews.com|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922053252/https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2021-09-21/portugal-stands-with-france-against-aukus/62507|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Portugal expressa solidariedade com França e diz que Austrália "furou compromissos"|trans-title=Portugal expresses solidarity with France and says that Australia "has broken commitments"|url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/economia/portugal-expressa-solidariedade-com-franca-e-diz-que-australia-furou-compromissos_n1350039|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|website=Portugal expressa solidariedade com França e diz que Austrália "furou compromissos"|publisher=Rádio e Televisão de Portugal|language=pt|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921073530/https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/economia/portugal-expressa-solidariedade-com-franca-e-diz-que-australia-furou-compromissos_n1350039}}</ref>
*{{flagcountry|RUS}} – Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov expressed concern, stating "This is a great challenge to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime." and that "We are also concerned about the … partnership that will allow Australia, after 18 months of consultations and several years of attempts, to obtain nuclear-powered submarines in sufficient numbers to become one of the top five countries for this type of armaments."<ref>{{Cite news|date=1 October 2021|title=Russia becomes latest nation to express dismay over AUKUS submarine deal|language=en-AU|work=ABC News|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-02/russia-concerned-about-aukus-and-nuclear-submarines/100509258|access-date=3 October 2021}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|Singapore}} {{ndash}} Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong welcomed Australia's assurance that its new defence partnership with the US and the UK aims to promote a "stable and secure" Asia Pacific amid China's concerns.<ref>[https://www.aol.com/news/pm-lee-welcomes-australia-assurance-aukus-china-fears-122102170.html PM Lee welcomes Australia's assurance on AUKUS amid China's fears over 3-nation pact]. 27 August 2021. ''Aol.com''. Retrieved 28 August 2021.</ref>
* {{SLB}}— Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said that he wanted to keep the region "nuclear free" and that he opposed "any form of militarisation in our region that could threaten regional and international peace and stability".<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Solomon Islands - Prime Minister Addresses General Debate, 76th Session {{!}} UN Web TV |url=https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1e/k1esc3zvkm |access-date=2023-04-20 |work=UN Web TV |publisher={{wipe|United Nations}} | date=25 September 2021 |type= Television production |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author1=Talei Luscia Mangioni |title=Pacific perspectives on proposed AUKUS nuclear-propelled submarines |journal=Troubled Waters: Nuclear Submarines, AUKUS and the NPT |date=January 2022 |page=7 |url=https://icanw.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Troubled-Waters-nuclear-submarines-AUKUS-NPT.pdf |access-date=26 April 2023 |publisher=International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Australia}}</ref>
* {{TWN}} {{ndash}} Vice President Lai Ching-te, immediately welcomed the partnership, referring to it "as a positive development for democracy, peace, and prosperity in the region."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lai|first=Ching-te|title=Taiwan welcomes #AUKUS as a positive development for democracy, peace, and prosperity in the region.|url=https://twitter.com/chingtelai/status/1438483967871647754|url-status=live|access-date=17 September 2021|via=Twitter|language=en|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917091636/https://twitter.com/ChingteLai/status/1438483967871647754}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=September 2021}} The foreign affairs spokesperson said, "Taiwan, on the groundwork of the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Guarantees, will continue to deepen the close partnership with the United States, maintain the rules-based international order, and the peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific region together."<ref name="bbc-Taiwan">{{cite news|date=17 September 2021|title=澳英美「核潛艇」協議AUKUS的更深層涵義|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/trad/world-58586137|access-date=17 September 2021|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917023637/https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/trad/world-58586137|url-status=live}}</ref> Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu also welcomed the partnership, stating "We are pleased to see that the like-minded partners of Taiwan — the United States and the UK and Australia — are working closer with each other to acquire more advanced defence articles so that we can defend Indo-Pacific".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bagshaw|first=Eryk|date=4 October 2021|title=Taiwan backs AUKUS, warns of threat of war with China|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/taiwan-backs-aukus-warns-of-threat-of-war-with-china-20211004-p58x0v.html|access-date=4 October 2021|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}</ref>
*''' Others ''' {{ndash}} Morrison said he contacted prime ministers Yoshihide Suga of Japan, Narendra Modi of {{wipe|India}}, and Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore.<ref name="Barrett" /> South Korea has also remained silent.<ref name="Barrett">{{cite news |last1=Barrett |first1=Chris |title=Australia's nuclear sub deal 'gravely undermines regional peace' says China |url=https://www.theage.com.au/world/asia/australia-s-nuclear-sub-deal-gravely-undermines-regional-peace-says-china-20210916-p58sbk.html |access-date=16 September 2021 |work=The Age |publisher=Nine Newspapers |date=16 September 2021 |archive-date=16 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916084603/https://www.theage.com.au/world/asia/australia-s-nuclear-sub-deal-gravely-undermines-regional-peace-says-china-20210916-p58sbk.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===European Union===
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who told CNN that "one of our member states has been treated in a way that is not acceptable. ... We want to know what happened and why."<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 September 2021|title='Crisis of trust': France bristles at US submarine deal|url=https://apnews.com/article/europe-business-france-new-york-paris-a3098023771399baea74520cf8adaa7f|access-date=20 September 2021|website=AP NEWS|language=en|archive-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920214322/https://apnews.com/article/europe-business-france-new-york-paris-a3098023771399baea74520cf8adaa7f|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=EU chief: Treatment of France 'not acceptable'|publisher=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2021/09/20/amanpour-ursula-von-der-leyen-aukus-eu-france.cnn|access-date=21 September 2021|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921115051/https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2021/09/20/amanpour-ursula-von-der-leyen-aukus-eu-france.cnn|url-status=live}}</ref> The EU also demanded an apology from Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/21/aukus-row-european-union-demands-apology-from-australia-over-frances-treatment-before-trade-talks|title = Aukus row: EU officials demand apology from Australia over France's treatment before trade talks|website = TheGuardian.com|date = 21 September 2021|access-date = 21 September 2021|archive-date = 21 September 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210921043715/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/21/aukus-row-european-union-demands-apology-from-australia-over-frances-treatment-before-trade-talks|url-status = live}}</ref> President of the European Council Charles Michel denounced a "lack of transparency and loyalty" by the US.<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 September 2021|title=EU chief Michel denounces 'lack of loyalty' by US|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210920-eu-chief-michel-denounces-lack-of-loyalty-by-us|url-status=live|access-date=22 September 2021|website=France24|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922110719/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210920-eu-chief-michel-denounces-lack-of-loyalty-by-us}}</ref> The EU said the crisis affects the whole union.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Consejo de ministros de la UE: la crisis de submarinos afecta a toda la Unión|trans-title=Council of ministers of the EU: the submarine crisis affects the whole Union|url=https://www.efe.com/efe/america/mundo/consejo-de-ministros-la-ue-crisis-submarinos-afecta-a-toda-union/20000012-4634071|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|website=efe.com|language=es|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921082113/https://www.efe.com/efe/america/mundo/consejo-de-ministros-la-ue-crisis-submarinos-afecta-a-toda-union/20000012-4634071}}</ref>

Preparations for a new EU-US trade and technology council between the US and EU were postponed.<ref name="dwreact">{{Cite web|date=20 September 2021|title=German minister: Submarine dispute is 'a wake-up call'|url=https://www.dw.com/en/german-minister-submarine-dispute-is-a-wake-up-call/a-59245294|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|publisher=Deutsche Welle|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921110241/https://www.dw.com/en/german-minister-submarine-dispute-is-a-wake-up-call/a-59245294}}</ref> France eventually dropped their opposition to these talks which took place in Pittsburgh on 29 September 2021. France also attempted to delay the free trade talks between the EU and Australia.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/france-pushes-eu-consider-halting-trade-agreement-australia-after-submarine-deal-1631229|title=France pushes EU to consider halting trade agreement with Australia after submarine deal|first=Mary Ellen|last=Cagnassola|date=21 September 2021|website=Newsweek}}</ref> Apparently "most of Europe felt that transatlantic ties were too important to sacrifice to French pique"; such as the pro-free trade Northern Europe countries, as well as Eastern European nations that prioritize security ties with Washington, who "resented the French attempt to impose its indignation on the rest of the bloc".<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-free-trade-defeat-france-push-to-punish-us-uk-australia-submarine-deal/|title=EU's free-traders defeat French push to punish US|date=24 September 2021|accessdate=5 December 2023|first1=Barbara|last1=Moens|first2=Jacopo|last2=Barigazzi|work=Politico}}</ref> Key advocates for the TTC talks included EU's digital chief Margrethe Vestager, who favors open markets, and EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis from Latvia, who views the US alliance and NATO as a vital counterweight to {{wipe|Russia}} and {{wipe|China}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/europe/2021/10/06/europe-divided-on-plans-for-its-own-army-after-aukus-submarine-row/|title=Europe divided on plans for its own army after Aukus submarine row|website=The National|first=Tim|last=Stickings|date=6 October 2021|accessdate=5 December 2023}}</ref><ref name="auto3"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/3hJDES5|title=So France is furious: Now what?|first=Ryan|last=Heath|work=Politico|date=17 September 2021|accessdate=5 December 2023}}</ref> Lithuanian deputy European Affairs Minister Arnoldas Prankevicius proclaimed "What is important is to keep trans-Atlantic unity, because we believe this is our biggest strength and biggest value, especially vis-à-vis such countries as Russia and China".<ref name="auto2"/>

== See also ==

* Allied technological cooperation during World War&nbsp;II
* [[Place:Anglosphere|Anglosphere]]
* ANZUS – 1951 Australia, New Zealand, the United States Security Treaty
* [[Engineering:AUSCANNZUKUS|AUSCANNZUKUS]]
* ABCANZ Armies
* Five Eyes
* Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) – Defence cooperation among Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and UK
* [[Earth:Free and Open Indo-Pacific|Free and Open Indo-Pacific]] (FOIP)
* Foreign policy of Xi Jinping
* List of military alliances
* Military alliance
* Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) – Strategic dialogue among Australia, India, Japan and the US
* Reciprocal Access Agreement – Bilateral defense and security pacts with Japan
* Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)
* [[Engineering:Tizard Mission|Tizard Mission]]
* US–UK Mutual Defence Agreement
* United States foreign policy toward the People's Republic of China
== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/09/15/joint-leaders-statement-on-aukus/ Text of the Joint Leaders Statement on AUKUS]
* [https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-09-16/debates/4835BC3D-E0BF-43E0-9A3B-9BCC5B77DF7F/AUKUS AUKUS Hansard (UK) debate]
* [https://www.pm.gov.au/media/address-aukus-canberra-act Address by the Prime Minister of Australia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918140238/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/address-aukus-canberra-act |date=18 September 2021 }}

{{Western culture}}

[[Category:Military technology]]
[[Category:Organizations (Engineering)]]
[[Category:Organizations|Engineering]]

{{Sourceattribution|AUKUS}}