A year after deciding to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, Australia’s government has announced a costly program to build the largest and most powerful fleet in its post-World War II history. The country will spend more than $35 billion over a decade to more than double the number of surface warships, Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government has announced, as it remains committed to working closely with the US and Britain in the face of growing military power. and China’s claims.
What does the program include?
It is characteristic that in the evaluations of the naval forces of Australia, American admirals e.a. participated as advisers. who found that the aging fleet could not meet the challenges of the new strategic environment.
By 2035 the Royal Australian Navy will be drastically renewed and have 26 major surface units:
-3 Hobart class destroyers to be upgraded by installing an advanced version of the Aegis battle management system
-6 new Hunter-class frigates with enhanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities and increased strike capabilities
-11 new multi-mission frigates (air defense, escort, strikes against surface and ground targets)
– 6 new LOSV surface vessels that will operate with or without a crew, each with VLS systems with 32 missile launch bays.
It is also planned to build 25 smaller vessels for civil protection operations, six of which will be offshore patrol vessels.
Relations with China
At the same time, from 2030 the Australian navy will begin to receive as part of the AUKUS program and alliance (Australia, United Kingdom, USA) at least three American nuclear submarines of the Virginia type, which – as the allies assure – will not carry nuclear weapons . The three countries pledge to work together “to keep the oceans free for many decades to come.”
It is clear that the main objective of AUKUS as well as the new program is to contain China in the Pacific and Indian Ocean region, although the country is not named in the official presentations. Beijing complains that AUKUS undermines the international non-proliferation system, threatening peace and stability.
During his official visit to China last November, after seven years of tensions, the Australian prime minister declared that the two countries “should cooperate where they can and disagree where they should” based on their national interests. While Chinese President Xi Jinping found that bilateral economic relations were entering the “right path of improvement”. China already has three aircraft carriers and seems determined not to back down in the arms race, especially after Australia’s fleet boost.
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