Australia AUKUS: A visiting American general maintains that even while there is increasing military integration between the two forces as part of the AUKUS relationship, Australia won’t be forced into any future war with China.
As Australia is ready to operate used nuclear-powered boats from the US in the coming ten years, more than 400 Australian submariners are eventually slated to serve on US submarines.
Lieutenant General Stephen Sklenka, the Deputy Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, acknowledged the increased likelihood of a conflict with China over Taiwan but emphasized that it was not inevitable while speaking to the National Press Club in Canberra.
Citing the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) recent aggressive moves in the South China Sea, General Sklenka charged that the Chinese military was acting as “equal opportunity bullies” in the area.
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As per ABC Net, about 300 dangerous and coercive PLA intercepts of US and foreign partner forces have occurred throughout this region since 2021.
“These encounters not only contravene rules and norms governing behaviour among militaries, but they also frankly endanger lives, and they create conditions for escalation.”
A Chinese fighter jet fired flares in the direction of an Australian helicopter earlier this month, forcing the aircraft to make an emergency landing close to South Korea.
In the first stage of AUKUS, 440 Australians will serve on board 25 American submarines, according to a recent prediction by the director of naval submarine forces for the US Navy.
In May, former US Navy officer Dan Packer told Defense News, “This is something that has never happened before.”
“We are completely, 100% integrating them into our crew, from a complete and utter perspective – they will do everything that we do.”
When questioned about the remarks, General Sklenka told the press club he did not necessarily believe that meant Australia would be dragged into a Taiwan dispute with China out of necessity.
“I think the Australian government, the policymakers in your government will determine whether or not those Australians will participate or not.
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“That’s not on the United States to do that – when they’re on their submarines, we haven’t kidnapped them!”
Opponents of Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS plan contend that hiring Australians to crew the boats will also become necessary for the US attack submarine force.
“This is a core threat to Australia’s sovereignty, hundreds of Australian sailors and officers can be committed to the next US war without any credible way for our own government to stop it,” Greens senator David Shoebridge warns.
“Does the Albanese government seriously say we can rapidly pull over 400 Australian personnel off US attack class nuclear subs before they are sent into a conflict? The very idea is fanciful.
“This is another demonstration of how AUKUS undermines Australia’s ability to have an independent foreign policy and military.
“The whole program needs a fundamental rethink and re-assessment against Australia’s national interests. With the possibility of an ever more erratic Trump presidency, this work is more urgent than ever.”
