The US, Britain, and Australia are reportedly set to begin talks on expanding their AUKUS security pact to include new members, including Japan, as a deterrent against China’s growing power in the Indo-Pacific region. The three countries’ defense ministers will announce discussions on “Pillar Two” of the pact, focusing on jointly developing advanced technologies such as quantum computing, undersea, hypersonic, artificial intelligence, and cyber capabilities. The expansion is not expected to include the first pillar, which involves delivering nuclear-powered attack submarines to Australia.
The AUKUS security pact, established in 2021, is part of efforts by the three countries to counter China’s increasing influence in the region. China has expressed concerns about the pact, labeling it as dangerous and warning of a potential arms race in the region. US President Joe Biden has been working to strengthen partnerships with US allies in Asia, including Japan and the Philippines, in response to China’s military buildup and territorial assertiveness.
Rahm Emanuel, the US ambassador in Tokyo, wrote in an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal that Japan is likely to become the first additional partner in Pillar Two of the AUKUS pact. A senior US administration official stated that an announcement regarding Japan’s involvement could be expected in the coming week, though no specific details were provided. President Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are anticipated to discuss expanding AUKUS to include Japan during Kishida’s visit to Washington.
While Japan’s inclusion in the AUKUS pact seems imminent, Australia appears to be cautious about initiating new projects until progress is made on providing Canberra with nuclear-powered submarines. This caution may be in part due to the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region and the implications of expanding the security pact to include additional members. Despite these challenges, the discussions on Pillar Two of the AUKUS pact signal the commitment of the US, Britain, and Australia to collaborate on advancing technological capabilities to maintain security and deter potential threats in the Indo-Pacific region.
