The move comes as Japan looks likely to take part in technology sharing under the AUKUS pact.
Australia will move to strengthen military ties to counter a growing threat from Beijing in the Indo-Pacific by partnering with Japan and the United States to shore up a new air defence strategy.
Details of just what technology the strategy will incorporate have not been shared with the media, owing to their classified status
Under AUKUS’s four-pillar system, “pillar two” concentrates on artificial intelligence, hypersonic missiles, undersea capabilities, and quantum technologies.
“Recognising Japan’s strengths and its close bilateral defence partnerships with all three countries we are considering cooperation with Japan on AUKUS pillar two advanced capability projects,” said Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and UK Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps.
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Other countries have also expressed interest in pillar two of the pact, including New Zealand, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L), US President Joe Biden (C) and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at an AUKUS summit in San Diego (Leon Neal/Getty Images)No Formal Plans Yet: Australian PM
Whilst the joint statement appeared to affirm an alliance was on the cards, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on April 10 that there were no plans to formally expand the pact.
“What is proposed is to look at pillar two of AUKUS and look, project by project, whether there would be engagement,” Mr. Albanese said.
He did say Japan was a “natural candidate for that to occur.”
“We’ve already stepped up our defence relationship with Japan in agreements. What is not proposed is to expand the membership of AUKUS.”
An Iranian military boat patrols as a warship enters the Iranian waters prior to start of a joint naval drill of Iran, Russia and China in the Indian Ocean on March 12, 2024. (Iranian Army via AP)
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