It’s the first time since the mid-20th century the United States has shared its nuclear submarine technology with another country, the White House told several news outlets.
Australia will partner with the United States and United Kingdom to build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, the three countries said Wednesday, a major step likely designed to push back against China’s power in the South Pacific. The three leaders framed AUKUS as a broad bid for security in the Indo-Pacific region, but China is likely a key driver of the agreement. In recent years, China has rapidly expanded its navy and grown more assertive in its claims over the South China Sea, and the United States has flexed its naval power in the region.
