What is AUKUS?

AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between the USA, UK and Australia to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines in the Indo-Pacific region. It was announced on 15 September 2021. While the joint statement from the three countries does not say so explicitly, White House sources have confirmed the deal is designed to counteract Chinese influence in the region.

Previously, Australia had a submarine deal with France – AUKUS means this will no longer go ahead. The French Foreign Secretary Jean-Yves Le Drian has described the move as a ‘stab in the back’.

Read more on AUKUS here.