Australian Defense Chief Insists Submarine Deal With US Not Eroding Military Sovereignty
Muhammad Irfan Published February 09, 2023 | 04:50 PM
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th February, 2023) Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said Thursday that his country was not trading sovereignty for capability by having the United States build its nuclear submarines.
Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has criticized the defense pact between Australia, the US and the Unite Kingdom (AUKUS), saying it handed Australia's military sovereignty over to its allies. He insisted that Australia would not be able to maintain or operate the subs without US help.
"Australia operates high-tech platforms and capabilities that we could only acquire from our partners and we could never completely build on our own ... Our future nuclear powered submarines will clearly be an example of this," Marles said in parliament.
"Yet whether our defense assets are developed indigenously, acquired from abroad, or developed in partnership � Australia will always make sovereign, independent decisions as to how they are employed," the minister added.
Australia plans to buy at least eight nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact after ditching a $90 billion deal with France for 12 new attack-class submarines.
Details on the submarines are expected in March. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese may travel to Washington for a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, 9news reports.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From World
-
Togo lawmakers approve contested political reform
5 hours ago -
NATO must choose 'whether we indeed are allies': Zelensky
5 hours ago -
US House to vote on Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan aid package
5 hours ago -
Calls for calm after reported Israeli strike on Iran
5 hours ago -
IMF calls on EU to deepen single market integration to boost growth
5 hours ago -
Second Ecuadoran mayor killed ahead of anti-crime referendum: police
5 hours ago
-
Oil, gas drilling blocked in Alaska wilds as Biden seeks green cred
6 hours ago -
Man sets self on fire outside Trump trial
6 hours ago -
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
7 hours ago -
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
7 hours ago -
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
7 hours ago -
Ecuador mayor killed ahead of anti-crime referendum: police
8 hours ago