Australia, the US and the UK unveiled a plan this week for the Pacific nation to acquire up to eight nuclear-powered submarines, forecast to cost up to £300 billion between now and the mid-2050s.
Australia has denied that recent nuclear deals with the UK and the US necessitate the nation to defend Taiwan from China, its defence minister has said. Minister Richard Marles said on Sunday that his country had not agreed to support the US’ defence of Taiwan, “nor was it sought” by US President Joe Biden despite their supplying Australia with nuclear submarines. Mr Marles said the nuclear agreement, part of the AUKUS partnership, was focused on countering China’s growing ambitions in the Indo-Pacific, but that such a move did not necessarily include concern for Taiwan.
Source: express
