For subscribers
The Aukus balancing act in South-east Asia
Recent responses of South-east Asian countries, notably Malaysia and Indonesia, are revealing of the region’s shifting views of China’s growing military capabilities.
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
In March 2023, Australia, Britain and the US said they would implement a multi-decade three-phase timetable for the Aukus project.
PHOTO: REUTERS
William Choong and Ian Storey
Follow topic:
In September 2021, Australia did something audacious. It bailed out of a multibillion-dollar deal to acquire conventional submarines from France, and announced it would embark on an ambitious project with Britain and the United States to build a fleet of nuclear-powered conventionally armed submarines.
The decision generated much controversy. Understandably, France was up in arms. China warned about the dangers of nuclear proliferation and arms racing, while the reactions from South-east Asian countries were mixed.
