Aukus is in talks with Canada, Japan and New Zealand on potential collaboration, say leaders
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SYDNEY - Aukus partners Australia, Britain and the United States said on Sept 18 that they are in discussions with Canada, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand about potential collaboration on defence technology projects.
The Aukus defence technology partnership will deliver nuclear-powered submarines to Australia next decade, and is collaborating on other advanced weapons development they say will boost deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, amid concern over China's naval build-up.
The Australian, British and US leaders said that new partners could contribute to the so-called Aukus Pillar Two, which does not involve nuclear submarines.
“We are consulting with Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea to identify possibilities for collaboration on advanced capabilities under Aukus Pillar Two,” the leaders said in a joint statement to mark the third Aukus anniversary.
Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair said in September on a visit to Tokyo that Canada was in talks with Aukus about joining projects, but did not give details.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the consultation is “a continuation of New Zealand’s careful, deliberate exploration under successive governments of what engaging with Aukus Pillar Two would mean for us as a country in strategic and economic terms”.
New Zealand has a long history of being nuclear-free. “We will continue to have an open and transparent discussion with New Zealanders about the issues at stake,” Mr Peters posted on his X account on Sept 18. REUTERS
