The Australia-UK-US-or AUKUS- deal announced last September initially focused on sharing nuclear submarine development in the Pacific at a time of growing concern for China. Now the three countries have also turned their attention to Russia and added new areas of co-operation – including supersonic weapons technology, which is said to have been used recently by Vladimir Putin’s forces in Ukraine. Image: Russia says it has used supersonic weapons in Ukraine In a joint press release issued by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, US President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific”. They added: “In light of the unprovoked, unjustified and illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, we reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to an international system that respects human rights, the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes without coercion.” The statement pledged countries to work together on ultrasound and anti-ultrasound as well as cyber warfare capabilities, as well as expanding information exchange and deepening cooperation on defense innovation. It comes after Russia said it had developed its Kinzhal supersonic missile in Ukraine – a weapon that can fly at 10 times the speed of sound and can not be reliably detected or intercepted at that speed by any current defense system. The United States and China have tested supersonic weapons, and North Korea has said it did. In the United States, the $ 773 billion budget request for 2023 submitted by the Pentagon last week includes $ 4.7 billion for supersonic weapons research and development. Image: North Korea claims to have conducted a supersonic missile test The United States and Australia already have a supersonic weapons program called SCIFiRE, and British officials have said that although Britain will not participate in the program at this time, the three countries will work together on research and development in the region to increase options. their. AUKUS ‘latest joint statement said it would seek to “accelerate the development of advanced ultrasound and anti-ultrasound capabilities”. He also said the countries were pleased with the progress made in the initial partnership plan to help the Australian Navy procure a multiple fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. Last month, Mr Morrison announced a plan to build a new submarine base off the east coast of Australia. London, Washington and Canberra are also seeking to work together in cyberspace and quantum technology, as well as in artificial intelligence and underwater robots – all areas in which Western democracies compete with each other for supremacy. The initial announcement of the AUKUS pact sparked outrage in Paris, as the submarine deal replaced a previous plan for France to supply Australia with diesel-electric boats.
