Despite the French president referring to the project as a "confrontation with China," Australia's prime leader affirmed his commitment to constructing a fleet of submarines powered by American nuclear technology, according to a report by AP.
The former Australian government decided to forego a 90 billion Australian dollar ($66 billion) contract for a fleet of conventionally powered submarines from France in favor of nuclear-powered models in a deal secretly negotiated with the US and UK.
DARWIN, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 05: In this handout image provided by the Australian Defence Force, Royal Australian Navy submarine HMAS Rankin is seen during AUSINDEX 21, a biennial maritime exercise between the Royal Australian Navy and the Indian Navy on September 5, 2021 in Darwin, Australia. Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom have announced a new strategic defence partnership - known as AUKUS - to build a class of nuclear-propelled submarines and work together in the Indo-Pacific region. The new submarines will replace the Royal Australian Navy's existing Collins submarine fleet.
Embracing Nuclear Technology
Since he was elected prime minister in May, Anthony Albanese has adhered to the so-called AUKUS pact to embrace nuclear technology.
Australia's choice of either a British Astute-class submarine or a US Virginia-class submarine will be made public in March 2023.
On Thursday, Macron stated that the possibility of France providing Australia with submarines was still "on the table."
Albanese's newly elected administration decided in June to pay French builders Naval Group 555 million euros ($584 million) as compensation for scrapping the submarine contract.
According to Albanese, Australia and France are still talking about how to work together on defense.
On Thursday, Nov. 17, Macron questioned the AUKUS agreement, reminding the media that France had provided Australia, a country without a nuclear energy industry, with independently maintainable diesel-electric submarines.
Officials from the Australian Defense Department stated at the time that the compensation was generous in an effort to calm French resentment and strengthen security ties between the two nations.
Albanese claimed that at his bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, AUKUS was not discussed.
Read also: The US is Reportedly in Talks with Australia to Develop Nuclear-Powered Submarines
Historic Alliance
Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison founded the historic alliance known as AUKUS in September of last year to support Australia's purchase of nuclear-powered submarines.
Nevertheless, a few of Australia's neighbors have expressed their discontent with the Aukus accord, with China particularly criticizing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Beijing claimed that the agreement giving Australia access to nuclear submarine technology was against international non-proliferation treaties.
However, Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the IAEA, expressed satisfaction with the Aukus partners' cooperation so far, but Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that the organization was "turning a blind eye" to the matter.
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Written by Jace Dela Cruz
