World

UK, US and Australia launch pact to counter China

September 16, 2021 12:19 pm

[Source: BBC]

The UK, US and Australia have announced a special security pact to share advanced defence technologies, in an effort to counter China.

The partnership will enable Australia to build nuclear-powered submarines for the first time.

The pact, to be known as Aukus, will also cover artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and cyber.

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The three countries are worried about China’s growing power and military presence in the Indo-Pacific.

As a result of the pact, Australia has scrapped a deal to build French-designed submarines.

France won a A$50bn (€31bn; £27bn) contract to build 12 submarines for the Australian Navy in 2016. The deal was Australia’s largest-ever defence contract.