Nuclear submarines received by Australia under the agreements of the military alliance AUKUS (partnership of Australia, Great Britain and the United States) will become its sovereign asset and come under its full control, Defense Minister Richard Marles said on February 9 ABC radio station.
“Once the Australian flag is hoisted on these submarines, they will come under the full control of the Australian Navy and will operate in the national interest of Australia. It is important for us to maintain our sovereignty and gain control over all our assets, and we will ensure this. This also applies to nuclear submarines,” Marles said.
According to him, Australia’s national interests largely coincide with those of the United States, but are not identical to them. AUKUS allies have an understanding that nuclear submarines will become the sovereign Australian Navy. “This is exactly what both the UK and the US are expecting,” he added.
Earlier, former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said that the acquisition of nuclear submarines from the United States will mark Australia’s relinquishment of national sovereignty, as the country will not be able to maintain and operate them without the supervision of the US Navy.
Note that Australia announced the construction of its own nuclear submarine fleet in September 2021, after the creation of AUKUS. According to the Australian government, the nuclear submarine fleet will increase military capabilities to “deter the growing activity of China in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Source: Rossaprimavera
