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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Daniel Hurst Foreign affairs and defence correspondent

Aukus could weaken China deterrence, US congress research paper suggests

A Virginia-class submarine docked at HMAS Stirling near Perth
A Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine docked near Perth. The US plans to sell the subs under the Aukus pact, which does not include any commitment by Australia to join forces in a potential war against China. Photograph: Aaron Bunch/AAP

Doubts about Australia’s willingness to join forces with the US in a war against China are being cited by congressional researchers as a potential obstacle to the Aukus nuclear-powered submarine deal.

A new research paper looks at the US plan to sell Australia between three and five Virginia-class submarines in the 2030s but suggests the idea “could weaken deterrence of potential Chinese aggression”.

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