AUKUS Mulling Advanced Tech Cooperation with Japan

Navy ships from the United States, Japan, Australia, and Philippines participate in joint exercises in the South China Sea on April 7, 2024, in a still from video. (Armed Forces of the Philippines via Reuters/Screenshot via NTD)

Australia, the UK, and the United States are considering expanding their AUKUS security pact to include some cooperation with Japan as a deterrent against Chinese communist aggression.

Japan’s close bilateral ties with all three of the nations and its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific make it a prime candidate for developing critical technologies, according to an April 8 statement released by the defense ministers of the AUKUS nations.

The alliance is particularly interested in cooperating with Japan on its second pillar—the development of advanced capabilities, including artificial intelligence, hypersonic weapons, and radar technologies.

“Since the inception of AUKUS, our nations have been clear in our intent to engage others in Pillar II projects as our work progresses,” the statement reads.

“Recognizing Japan’s strengths and its close bilateral defense partnerships with all three countries, we are considering cooperation with Japan on AUKUS Pillar II advanced capability projects.”

AUKUS was founded in 2021 as a key partnership to counter Chinese communist aggression in the Indo-Pacific and made waves by unveiling a deal whereby the United States and UK would share their most closely guarded secrets to help Australia’s military develop its own fleet of nuclear-powered, conventionally-armed submarines.

Related Stories

Japan May Join AUKUS Alliance Against Beijing

4/7/2024

Work Begins on Subs Program After Historic AUKUS Deal

3/22/2024

Hailed at the time as a framework for democratic nations to maintain security amid increasing authoritarian destabilization, AUKUS leadership acknowledged from the beginning its intention to build out a suite of new allies and partners.

Whereas the partnership’s first pillar priority was to furnish Australia with new subs, the second pillar aimed at building out shared standards and innovating new capabilities. It’s a mission that is being rapidly implemented, according to the alliance.

“Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States are pooling the talents of our defense sectors to catalyze, at an unprecedented pace, the delivery of advanced capabilities,” the Monday announcement said. “Partners are working with investors, private capital, and traditional and non-traditional industry to translate disruptive technology into asymmetric capability for our three defense forces.”

U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to meet with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines during a trilateral summit later in the week, at which time it is expected he will speak to Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at greater length about the future of a Japan-AUKUS collaboration.

In all, defense leaders from the three AUKUS nations said the group remained committed to cooperatively advancing new relationships with international partners and ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific.

“Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States are committed to continued openness and transparency with international partners on AUKUS,” the statement said.

“We look forward to continuing close collaboration to advance the generational potential of AUKUS.”