AUKUS Leaders Discuss Collaboration with Canada, Japan, and New Zealand, According to Reuters

AUKUS partners—Australia, Britain, and the United States—announced on Wednesday that they are in talks with Canada, Japan, and New Zealand to explore potential collaboration on defense technology projects.

The AUKUS defense technology partnership aims to deliver nuclear-powered submarines to Australia in the coming decade. It is also engaged in the development of advanced weapons aimed at enhancing deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region, driven by concerns regarding China’s naval expansion.

Leaders from Australia, Britain, and the U.S. indicated that these new partners could play a role in what is termed AUKUS “Pillar Two,” a component of the partnership that does not encompass nuclear submarines.

In a joint statement to commemorate the third anniversary of AUKUS, the leaders revealed, “We are consulting with Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea to identify opportunities for collaboration on advanced capabilities under AUKUS Pillar II.”

Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair mentioned during a visit to Tokyo earlier this month that Canada is in negotiations with AUKUS regarding participation in various projects, although he did not provide specific details.

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, commented that the dialogue reflects “a continuation of New Zealand’s careful, deliberate exploration under successive governments of what engaging with AUKUS Pillar 2 would mean for us as a country in strategic and economic terms.” New Zealand maintains a long-standing commitment to being nuclear-free.

Peters added, “We will continue to have an open and transparent discussion with New Zealanders about the issues at stake,” as he shared on his social media account.