Caught Between Acronyms

In a joint televised address on 15 September 2021, the US, UK, and Australia launched a new trilateral security alliance for the Indo-Pacific to protect their shared interests and allow for greater sharing of defence capabilities. The alliance is called ‘AUKUS’ and would include helping Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines with the help of the US and the UK. The new pact meant Australia dumping the agreement it signed with France in 2016 for 12 submarines.

Even as the US and Australia are both a part of the Quad alliance, the newly formed AUKUS alliance goes multiple steps ahead. While the Quad’s primary objective is maritime security, combating the Covid-19 crisis, especially vis-à-vis vaccine diplomacy, addressing the risks of climate change, creating an ecosystem for investment in the region and boosting technological innovation, the AUKUS, at least as of now, looks more clearly outlined with sharing of cyber capabilities, AI, quantum, and other undersea technologies.

Under AUKUS, the three countries will enhance the development of joint capabilities and technology sharing, foster deeper integration of security and defence-related science, technol