Washington, August 15 (EFE) – Washington took another step Thursday to strengthen the AUKUS military alliance, formed by Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States to confront China in the Pacific, by allowing an exemption of export licenses for technology and military materials to its partners.
The move, announced by the US State Department in a statement that added that Australia and the UK have implemented reciprocal policies, will accelerate the export of defence equipment between the three countries.
The transfer of US military technology is controlled by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which imposes barriers to the export of equipment.
The Foreign Ministry indicated that Australia and the United Kingdom will be exempt from these regulations from September 1.
“The changes implemented by this rule will maximize innovation and mutually strengthen our three defense industrial bases by facilitating billions of dollars in secure, license-free defense trade,” the US government said.
The three countries announced the AUKUS military agreement in September 2021. As part of the agreement, Australia will receive nuclear-powered attack submarines of British design and US nuclear technology.
In addition, the three countries will cooperate in developing technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hypersonic weapons and cyber warfare.
The military agreement comes in response to China’s growing naval and military power in the Pacific region.
In its 2023 report on China’s military forces, the Pentagon noted that China has embarked on “rapid modernization, diversification, and expansion of its nuclear forces.”
The report raised the number of operational nuclear warheads China will have by May 2023 to more than 500, exceeding previous projections. Specifically on the naval issue, it said China already has the largest military force on the planet, with more than 370 ships and submarines. Efe
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