Known as AUKUS, the alliance aims to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific and enhance defense capabilities through technology sharing. The initial phase of the partnership involves working on nuclear submarines for Canberra.

According to Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair, Ottawa wants to join a second pillar of the alliance, which involves collaboration on emerging military technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing.

“There have been important discussions about processes and platforms on a project-specific basis on where other nations, including Japan and ourselves, might participate,” he said during his first visit to Tokyo as defense minister.

“I would respectfully wait until they’ve come to their determination, but I’m very optimistic.”

Expanded Alliance?

Talks about potentially expanding the AUKUS alliance began when Japan signified its intent to become a fourth member.

The founding nations have confirmed they were considering Tokyo’s involvement in “specific Pillar 2 defense projects,” given its substantial investments in cutting-edge military technologies.

South Korea and New Zealand have also shown interest in contributing to the second pillar, offering their expertise in areas such as AI, autonomy, undersea capabilities, electronic warfare, and cyber operations.

The US previously said it was open to allowing more countries to participate in AUKUS’ technological activities, noting its appreciation for the interest from various allies.

“I think all three countries have made clear that under the appropriate circumstances we would be prepared to work collaboratively with other partners who bring capacity to the challenge,” US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said.

Increasing Threats

China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific has led many countries to view it as the biggest threat in the region.

Its aggressive stance in the South China Sea, marked by multiple maritime confrontations with Philippine Navy vessels and its mounting pressure on Taiwan, has heightened regional tensions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping previously warned against a resurgence of Cold War-era tensions in the Asia-Pacific due to increasing military cooperation among its adversaries.

The post After Japan, Canada Wants In on AUKUS Alliance to Counter China appeared first on The Defense Post.

The initiative was part of the multinational Project Convergence Capstone 4 exercise led by the US Army.

The test brought together several drones from each of the three nations, working collaboratively to identify ground-based targets faster and operate with reduced risk to human life, the British Ministry of Defence explained.

It also demonstrated the ability of AI-enabled unmanned aerial vehicles to accurately locate, disable, and destroy enemy assets.

“These trials demonstrated significant progress,” wrote the Pentagon, “and [showed] tangible results … to make our warfighter more lethal on the battlefield.”

Prioritizing Interoperability

Apart from testing their overall performance, the trial evaluated the interoperability of AUKUS’ AI-enabled unmanned platforms.

The test reportedly allowed for the seamless exchange of data and control between the three nations, highlighting the success of their trilateral adoption of AI and autonomous systems.

The UK MoD said the participating drones from the three countries operated together in the same airspace to achieve a common outcome.

“The AUKUS partnership is key to ensuring that the systems designed by each nation are interoperable into the future. Service personnel from one nation will be supported by capabilities that have been developed across all 3 nations,” it stated.

The partners will now work on the maturation of their systems to achieve more reliable data and help commanders make optimal battlefield decisions.

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Its primary focus is advancing Australia’s submarine capabilities and fostering greater technological and intelligence sharing among the three members. However, there is a strong argument for extending the framework to include South Korea.

Such an expansion would not only bolster the collective defense posture against rising regional threats but also enhance the strategic balance in East Asia.

South Korea’s Geopolitical Positioning

South Korea’s strategic location makes it a crucial player in East Asian security dynamics.

Sharing a border with North Korea and being close to China, South Korea occupies a vital position. It acts as a frontline state against North Korean aggression and counterbalances Beijing’s expanding regional influence.

The Korean Peninsula has long been a hotspot for tensions and conflicts, making the stability and security of South Korea essential for the broader region. By integrating South Korea into AUKUS, the alliance could significantly enhance its strategic depth and operational reach in East Asia.

Alliance With US

South Korea is a key ally of the United States, with longstanding military and economic ties. The US-South Korea alliance, formalized through the 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty, has been a cornerstone of regional security for decades.

Incorporating South Korea into AUKUS would enhance interoperability and coordination among these allies, creating a more cohesive and formidable defense posture in the region.

It would also reaffirm America’s commitment to the security of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, sending a strong message of solidarity and resolve.

Countering North Korean Threats

Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs pose a significant threat to regional stability. The regime’s continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, along with its unpredictable behavior, has heightened tensions and insecurity.

The recent summit between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un highlights the potential for increased military and technological cooperation between North Korea and Russia, raising concerns among Western allies.

By including Seoul in AUKUS, the alliance could integrate South Korea’s advanced military capabilities and intelligence assets, providing a more robust deterrent against North Korean provocations. Furthermore, South Korea’s expertise in dealing with North Korean threats, both conventional and unconventional, would be invaluable in enhancing the alliance’s overall readiness and response capabilities.

Balancing Chinese Influence

China’s assertive policies in the South China Sea and its increasing military presence have raised concerns among neighboring countries.

A broader AUKUS framework would send a strong message of unity and resolve, serving as a counterweight to Chinese expansionism.

It would also provide a more balanced and comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges posed by China’s rise, including its economic coercion, cyber activities, and maritime assertiveness.

Advanced Military Technology

South Korea’s advanced defense industry, particularly in missile defense, cybersecurity, and naval capabilities, would complement AUKUS’ technological ambitions.

South Korea has been a leader in developing cutting-edge military technologies and has a robust defense industrial base. Joint development and sharing of these technologies within the framework would enhance its collective defense capabilities.

This cooperation could include advanced radar systems, unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, and electronic warfare, providing a technological edge in countering current and future threats.

Submarine Warfare

South Korea has been developing its own submarine capabilities, including plans for nuclear-powered submarines. Submarine warfare is critical to modern naval strategy, providing stealth, endurance, and striking power.

Collaborating under the AUKUS framework could accelerate Seoul’s efforts, providing access to expertise and technology from the US and UK.

This collaboration would enhance South Korea’s submarine fleet and contribute to the overall submarine warfare capabilities of AUKUS. It would also foster greater interoperability and joint operational planning among the allied navies, enhancing their ability to conduct coordinated and effective maritime operations.

Economic Partnerships

Strengthening defense ties under AUKUS would also bolster economic relationships. South Korea’s advanced technological sector and solid industrial base could lead to collaborative projects and financial benefits for all parties involved.

Defense cooperation often spills over into other sectors, fostering innovation, investment, and trade. Joint ventures and collaborative research and development projects could create new opportunities for economic growth and technological advancement.

Moreover, a closer defense partnership would enhance supply chain security and resilience, particularly in critical sectors such as semiconductors, rare earth elements, and advanced materials.

Diplomatic Leverage

An expanded AUKUS would enhance diplomatic leverage in regional and international forums. This united front could drive more effective policy coordination on issues such as non-proliferation, trade security, and regional stability.

By presenting a cohesive and united stance, the alliance could exert greater influence on the international stage, shaping the regional security architecture and promoting a rules-based order.

It would also provide a platform for addressing other global challenges, such as climate change, humanitarian crises, and pandemics.

Expanding AUKUS

Expanding AUKUS to include South Korea represents a strategic opportunity to enhance regional security, counterbalance rising threats, and foster greater technological and economic collaboration. South Korea’s inclusion would not only strengthen the alliance’s military capabilities and deterrence posture but also promote a more integrated and resilient approach to the complex security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

In an era of shifting power dynamics and emerging threats, highlighted by the recent Putin-Kim Jong-un summit, a broader AUKUS alliance with South Korea would serve as a powerful pillar of stability and security.

By leveraging the strengths and capabilities of all member states, such an expanded alliance would be better positioned to uphold peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Jihoon Yu is a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses.

Jihoon was a member of the Task Force for South Korea’s light aircraft carrier project and Jangbogo-III submarine project. He is the main author of the ROK Navy’s Navy Vision 2045.

His areas of expertise include the ROK-US alliance, the ROK-Europe security cooperation, national security, maritime security, and maritime strategy.

He earned his BA in International Relations from the ROK Naval Academy, MA in National Security Affairs from the US Naval Postgraduate School, and a PhD in Political Science from Syracuse University.

Yonghan Park is an associate research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses and North Korean Military Division.

His expertise includes North Korean military and naval security.

He received his PhD at the Department of North Korean Studies at Korea University.

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The Defense Post.

The Defense Post aims to publish a wide range of high-quality opinion and analysis from a diverse array of people – do you want to send us yours? Click here to submit an op-ed.

The post Enhancing AUKUS: The Strategic Case for Including South Korea appeared first on The Defense Post.

The AUKUS program is a trilateral cooperation between Australia, the UK, and the US to protect allies and interests across the Pacific with a dedicated underwater fleet.

For the maintenance training, Canberra sourced around 30 skilled workers from Western and South Australia affiliated with local shipbuilder ASC Pty Ltd.

This group includes electricians, mechanical fitters, safety engineers, and battery crew specialists, most of which have “decades of combined experience” with the Royal Australian Navy’s existing Collins-class submarines.

The Pearl Harbor training will leverage lessons and hands-on tasks associated with the upkeep of the US Navy’s Virginia-class nuclear power submarines. The Australian team will practice with their American counterparts throughout the project.

‘Rock-Solid Commitment’

Once their training is complete, the first AUKUS sustainment personnel will take on critical roles in Western Australia as part of Submarine Rotational Force-West, wherein they will lead corresponding works for the rotating US and British nuclear submarines including the Virginia and Astute-class systems.

They will also be given training capabilities to prepare other ASC workforces.

Canberra wrote that over 100 Australian shipyard personnel at ASC are expected to receive naval propulsion training in Pearl Harbor by next year.

“This is another exciting step when it comes to developing the workforce we need for the AUKUS program which presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Australians to take advantage of unique and exciting education, training and career development programs, both here and overseas,” Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles stated.

“These highly skilled workers already have decades of combined submarine experience having sustained our Collins class submarines and now have the opportunity to be upskilled by our US counterparts in sustaining nuclear-powered submarines.”

“Such unique education and training opportunities for Australian workers reflect the rock-solid commitment of our US and UK partners to our nation-building AUKUS program.”

Latest AUKUS Projects in Australia

Canberra sent a separate team to the US in June to prepare for tactical operations with Australia’s own AUKUS submarines.

One month earlier, the government selected an industry consortium to supply a concept design for an AUKUS shipyard to be built in Osborne, South Australia.

In March, Australia awarded BAE Systems a contract to construct the nation’s AUKUS fleet. BAE, in partnership with ASC, will deliver the initial vessel in the early 2040s.

The post First Australian AUKUS Submarine Maintenance Group Trains in Pearl Harbor appeared first on The Defense Post.

The effort is part of trilateral naval cooperation between the Australian, British, and US governments to employ a new underwater fleet that will bolster security in the Indo-Pacific region “for decades.”

Nine enlisted personnel and three officers from the Australian Defence Force will practice their skills alongside their US Navy counterparts.

Although lessons vary depending on the participant’s role, the training will cover interrelated tracks to maintain unified operability, including in the Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS) and Submarine Officer Basic Course (SOBC).

The BESS introduces students to the fundamentals of the construction and operation of modern nuclear submarines, while the SOBS is the US Navy’s final step in graduating officers.

Experts from the Groton-based US Naval Submarine School will facilitate sessions.

Field Practice Next

Upon completing their training at the pipeline schools, the Royal Australian Navy team will be assigned to US-commissioned SSNs for an initial sea tour and additional lessons.

“The Royal Australian Navy officers and sailors commencing their training at the US Naval Submarine School represent the leading edge of Australia’s future submarine fleet,” Royal Australian Navy Chief Vice Admr. Mark Hammond stated.

“Three Australian officers have already completed 14 months of intensive shore-based training, including Nuclear-Power School, nuclear propulsion training, and the Submarine Officer Basic Course before being assigned to US Virginia class submarines.”

“Our people are receiving world class training through our US and UK partners, and will play a crucial role for Australia’s future SSN capability. I’m incredibly proud of their achievements representing the Royal Australian Navy.”

Over 100 Australian Trainees Expected

According to the US Navy, Canberra’s AUKUS submarine trainees will increase to more than 100 soldiers the following year.

“Australians are exceptional submariners,” US Navy AUKUS Integration and Acquisition Program Manager Rear Admr. Lincoln Reifsteck remarked.

“The training they receive at Submarine School will set them up for a successful tour aboard an American SSN, moving the Royal Australian Navy that much closer to operating sovereign, conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.”

The post First Australian Navy Team to Train in US on AUKUS Submarine Ops appeared first on The Defense Post.

The NPSCY will produce the Australian Defence Force’s forthcoming submarine fleet as part of a joint effort with the US and the UK.

To be designated SSN-AUKUS, the vessels will sail to protect Australia, its Indo-Pacific allies, and American and British interests across the region.

Under the NPSCY project, Texas-based KBR will lead the design of the shipyard’s steel processing and fabrication facilities.

Meanwhile, a joint venture between AECOM, also from Texas, and Melbourne engineering company Aurecon will work on the rest of the site.

This group will support the consolidation, integration, and commissioning of Australia’s nuclear submarine fleet.

The facility will cover more than 75 hectares (185 acres) in Osborne.

Historic Project

According to Australia, the decision to select the team for NPSCY design was based on the team’s demonstrated infrastructure expertise from previous works in Osborne, Henderson, and other sites in AUKUS partner nations.

Canberra wrote that related initiatives to complete the NPSCY shipyard, including site mobilization and early development of a new car park, began in December 2023.

Throughout the effort, the government and contractors are expected to create up to 4,000 direct jobs in construction, with up to 5,500 roles for the SSN-AUKUS production phase.

“The submarine construction yard at Osborne will provide highly skilled jobs for decades to come, providing financial security for thousands of hardworking Australians,” the Australian Ministry of Defence stated.                                                                                                                                    

“This project will ensure Australia will be at the forefront of manufacturing the most advanced submarines in the world, and is another example of the Albanese Government getting on with the job of delivering AUKUS.”

“Not only will this ambitious project create thousands of local jobs, it will deliver the most critical defence capability acquisition in our nation’s history.”

SSN-AUKUS Progress

Australia announced additional investment in April to upgrade military centers on Garden Island to support its future SSN-AUKUS fleet.

One month earlier, the government tapped BAE Systems to lead the submarines’ construction.

In 2022, Canberra earmarked 10 billion Australian dollars ($6.65 billion) to establish a naval base on the east coast to house the SSN-AUKUS vessels.

The post Australia Forms Consortium to Design Nuclear Submarine Yard in Osborne appeared first on The Defense Post.

In a speech sketching how the underpinnings of New Zealand’s independent-minded foreign policy have “seismically shifted,” Winston Peters said it would be “irresponsible” of the government not to explore deeper defense cooperation with allies.

New Zealand’s possible participation in the AUKUS grouping’s efforts to develop advanced military technology — particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, undersea drones, and hypersonic missiles — has roiled the country’s politics.

Center-left former prime minister Helen Clark is among those who have argued that participation in AUKUS would threaten New Zealand’s sovereignty and risk damaging relations with major trade partner China.

Peters on Wednesday said those arguments were “outdated,” saying: “The world has changed, and so must we.”

Citing once-neutral Sweden and Finland’s decision to join NATO, Peters said the strategic environment that once delivered for New Zealand’s interests was no more.

“These foundations, which underpinned New Zealand’s foreign, trade and economic policies in decades past, have seismically shifted in the first quarter of the 21st century,” he said, according to the text of the speech.

“The Pacific region’s strategic environment is not benign, far from it. Remorseless pressure is being exerted across it as beachheads are sought and influence peddled.”

Peters said that as a result, New Zealand should consider taking part in AUKUS when the time comes.

“It would be utterly irresponsible for any government of any stripe to not consider whether collaborating with like-minded partners on advances in technology is in our national interest,” he said.

“Here New Zealand needs to ask hard questions of itself. As we seek a more secure region and world, are we doing our share?”

“New Zealand’s long history of parsimony when it comes to defence cannot hold if we wish to continue garnering respect from, and influence on, others,” he said.

Peters said it was not yet clear that New Zealand would be invited to participate in AUKUS’s so-called pillar two, which focuses on defense technology, even after two years of preliminary talks.

Washington, London, and Canberra have also been in talks with Japan and South Korea, which are in favor of participating and appear further along in the process.

“We must also carefully examine what utilities, if any, we might offer, or be expected to offer pillar two partners, in return. That will take time,” Peters said.

“At that future point we will need to carefully weigh up the economic and security benefits and costs of any decision about whether participating in pillar two is in the national interest.

“The government is a long way from this point of being able to make such a decision.”

The post New Zealand Says No Quick Membership of AUKUS Tech Pact appeared first on The Defense Post.

The initiative will cover 32 projects across the HMAS Stirling naval base in Western Australia, including tunnel maintenance, building upgrades, and corresponding repairs.

Work on the defense estate is expected to create more than 150 local jobs and additional opportunities for construction, trade, and other businesses in the area.

The government wrote that the modernization project would be facilitated with a simultaneous expansion in Stirling for 8 billion Australian dollars ($5.3 billion) that will continue into the next decade.

“Ensuring our Defence sites are equipped to meet operational and capability requirements, now and in the future, is essential to keeping Australians safe,” Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite stated.

“These projects, to be delivered by local businesses in the Perth region, are supporting local jobs and creating opportunities in the trades and construction industries.”

AUKUS Submarines

The investment is part of Submarine Rotational Force-West, launched by the Australian, British, and American (AUKUS) alliance in 2021.

The initiative will deploy one submarine from London and up to four US submarines near Perth by 2027. The fleet, designated “SSN-AUKUS,” will aid the countries in maintaining “stability, peace, and prosperity” in the Indo-Pacific.

Each SSN-AUKUS will be manufactured based on British design and American technology at the members’ respective domestic shipyards.

The trilateral partners announced the joint acquisition of submarines for the program in 2023. In March, BAE Systems secured a contract to produce submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.

Works Underway

This month, AUKUS leaders released a joint statement on milestones achieved towards the effort’s completion.

The documentation outlined the passing of additional bills to accelerate the program, recent industrial participation, an increase in the submarine construction workforce, and plans for associated military training on Guam. 

“All AUKUS nations have reaffirmed their commitment to take full advantage of the technological opportunities of AUKUS by combining national strengths to deepen collaboration and deliver game-changing capabilities at pace,” a statement from the Pentagon said.

“The AUKUS nations have bolstered efforts to break down barriers to collaboration, spur a more integrated defense industrial base and private sector partnership, and identify new opportunities for trilateral capability development.”

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Called the Trusted Operation of Robotic Vehicles (TORVICE), the demonstration required unmanned robotic vehicles to complete missions through AI software while maintaining network connectivity in complex land-based scenarios.

TORVICE saw scientists employ electro-optical laser, electronic warfare, and navigation and timing challenges to validate the unmanned ground vehicles’ resilience.

In other activities, some robotic systems took the role of autonomous multi-domain launchers and larger unmanned vehicles to simulate long-range precision fires and associated missions without the use of actual weapons.

UK Defence Science and Technology (DST) Laboratory Principal Adviser Guy Powell highlighted the importance of “networked autonomy” performed by the systems for modern warfare.

“Robotic and autonomous systems have the potential to transform the battlefield providing a force multiplier while reducing risk to warfighters,” Powell stated.

“TORVICE allows us to understand robotic autonomous systems’ operation in a contested environment and increase resilience of these systems. Working across three nations will accelerate development of robust capable systems.”

Supporting AUKUS Strategy

UK DST Land and Integrated Force Chief Shane Canney further explained the significance of the TORVICE project for the trilateral AUKUS strategic cooperation in future terrestrial, naval, airborne, and digital operations.

“Understanding how robotic vehicles react in contested environments accelerates our collective know-how and helps improve the system to overcome such attacks,” Canney said.

“Transitioning trusted robotic capabilities into the hands of our warfighters safely and ethically is a priority.”

Australian Autonomy Projects

The Australian government signed contracts with 11 local companies earlier this month to develop drones and corresponding production plans for huge orders.

In October 2023, Canberra’s army trialed robotic armored personnel carriers with integrated remote weapon systems for autonomous traveling and neutralization capabilities.

Australian academics launched an algorithm that could protect unmanned military robots from cyberattacks the same month.

Four months prior, the army completed its first deployment of an autonomous truck convoy on public roads across Victoria.

The post Australia, UK, US Demo AI in Autonomous Military Systems appeared first on The Defense Post.

The three men huddled in Silicon Valley — the heart of the US tech sector — to build on the so-called AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, United States) partnership launched in September 2021 that is aimed at offering a Western counterweight to assertiveness from regimes in Moscow and Beijing.

“Today just underscores that AUKUS is a once in a generation opportunity that will promote peace and security throughout the Indo-Pacific,” US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told reporters.

AUKUS is a once in a generation opportunity that will promote peace and security throughout the Indo-Pacific. Today, we endorsed several new efforts, to include the Maritime Autonomous Experimentation and Exercise Series to lead our partnership forward. pic.twitter.com/MWk3CGig73

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) December 2, 2023

Agreements will enable the three countries “to develop and deliver advanced capabilities so that our warfighters can hear, see, and act with decisive advantage.”

The tripartite gathering is the latest step in a strengthening alliance that has already seen agreements for Canberra to buy at least three nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarines and for Britain and Australia to build a new model involving US technology.

On Friday, the focus was on the cutting edge, including the development of what they called a “Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability” program, which will see radar detection sites in all three countries by the end of the decade, with the capacity to peer 22,000 miles (35,000 kilometers) into space.

“Today’s meeting will be regarded as a critical moment in the history of Pillar Two of AUKUS and that is the sharing and development of advanced technologies between our three countries,” Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles told a joint press conference.

He said that in addition to deep space radar, there would be coordination on quantum technologies to aid with navigation and weapons direction, as well as “resilient artificial intelligence which in turn will give rise to resilient precision targeting.”

China Backdrop

Marles brushed off suggestions that US alliances were vulnerable to the whims of elections, such as a possible return to the White House by Donald Trump, insisting that AUKUS had cross-party support in all three nations.

British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps hailed the strength of the relationship, which he said was more important than ever.

“Today, in a much more dangerous world, with Russia waging war in Ukraine, with Hamas wreaking havoc in the Middle East, China undermining the freedom of navigation in the Indo Pacific — we’ve never had a greater need for more innovation to be more pioneering,” he said.

While the three countries have long been allies, the tightening of ties has unsettled Beijing, which bristles at what it sees as attempts to contain it.

All three nations regularly undertake what they call “freedom of navigation” voyages through the South China Sea, an area of international waters that China claims as its own and in which it has established military installations.

This year, Beijing warned the three countries were treading a “path of error and danger” after they unveiled the deal for Canberra to purchase the submarines.

Australia had previously been on track to replace its aging fleet of diesel-powered submarines with a $66 billion package of French vessels, also conventionally powered.

While the submarines will be nuclear-powered, they will not be armed with atomic weapons and are instead expected to carry long-range cruise missiles. But their fuel source enables them to stay under water for longer and to be much quieter.

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