“Strengthening interoperability in areas such as collaborative fighter aircraft.”
Reconfirmation of commitment to developing clean energy supply chain through Quad
Agreement to invest $65 million in Pacific Island communications infrastructure
The United States and Australia have agreed to cooperate with Japan in advanced defense technology. It is interpreted that the purpose is to prevent the increase of China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.
U.S. President Joe Biden held a joint press conference after meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House on the 25th (local time) and announced that they had agreed to explore trilateral defense cooperation with Japan. “Our collaboration aims to strengthen interoperability and accelerate technology transfer in areas such as the fast-emerging Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA),” he said.
Collaborative fighter jets are unmanned fighter jets (drones) that allow unmanned aircraft to operate autonomously and side by side with manned aircraft.
He said, “We will work together with our Quad partners, India and Japan, to ensure that the Indo-Pacific remains free, open, prosperous, and safe.”
The two leaders also welcomed Australia’s participation in the annual U.S.-Japan defense exercises that will be held soon, while reaffirming that the three countries will advance cooperation other than security issues, such as developing a clean energy supply chain in the region, through the Quad.
The two leaders agreed on this day to invest $65 million in infrastructure, including undersea communication cables, to increase connectivity between Pacific island countries. This follows a consensus that it is essential for the United States to focus on Pacific Island countries while devoting its capabilities to crisis management in the Middle East.
In response to this, there is an analysis that the United States and Australia are seeking to strengthen cooperation with other democratic countries to counter China, which is strengthening its hegemonic movements in the Indo-Pacific.
The two leaders discussed the AUKUS (US, UK and Australia) defense agreement and also praised substantial progress made to support Australia’s acquisition of nuclear submarines.
In addition, agreements were reached on a variety of areas, from cooperation on major minerals to advanced technologies related to artificial intelligence (AI) and a space agreement that would allow American companies to launch space launch vehicles from Australia.
At a joint press conference, Prime Minister Albany said, “The relationship between our two countries has never been stronger than it is now.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.