Submarines: “Chinese threat explains Australia’s will,” expert says

Antoine Bondaz, research fellow at the Foundation for Strategic Research, details Australian interests in the cancellation of a submarine order with France, and discusses the importance of the Indo-Pacific region.

The Australian decision to cancel an order for submarines placed with France, worth 56 billion euros, to finally buy in the United States,  initiated a diplomatic crisis on Thursday, September 16 . Behind this decision is Australian mistrust of China and a desire to strategically approach the Americans, explains RTL Antoine Bondaz, researcher at the Foundation for Strategic Research.

” The Chinese threat explains Australia’s desire to strengthen its defense capabilities and modernize its fleet of submarines , says the researcher. The difference between French and American submarines is the question of propulsion. The Americans agree to transfer nuclear propulsion technology, even though it had not done since the 1950s with the United Kingdom “.

For Australians and Americans alike, this agreement therefore seems logical, especially since the two nations have just concluded a security pact with the British. “For the past ten years or so, the United States has refocused on the Indo-Pacific region, considering China to be its main strategic threat. From the point of view of the Australians, it is necessary to strengthen defense relations with the United States, which are still the leading defense providers “.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday rejected Chinese criticism of Australia’s new nuclear submarine alliance with the United States and said he doesn’t mind that President Joe Biden might have forgotten his name.

China reacted angrily when Mr. Biden, Mr. Morrison and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson used a virtual press conference this week to announce a trilateral defense alliance that will provide Australia with a fleet of at least eight nuclear-powered submarines.

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian said it was “highly irresponsible” for the U.S. and Britain to export the nuclear technology.

Mr. Morrison said Australia wanted to boost peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Everything we’ve done with the United States is consistent with the partnerships and relationships and alliances we’ve already had with the United States,” Mr. Morrison told Radio 3AW.

News of the alliance received a positive response in Singapore. The island-state’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Mr. Morrison in a phone call he hoped the nuclear deal would “contribute constructively to the peace and stability of the region and complement the regional architecture,” Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

French leaders have been scathing of the deal that scuppers a contract with France to build 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines for Australia.

Observers say Mr. Biden appeared to have forgotten Mr. Morrison’s name during Thursday’s press conference, which was televised from three countries. The President referred to the Australian as “pal” and “that fellow Down Under.” Mr. Biden didn’t use Mr. Morrison’s name, while he referred to Mr. Johnson as “Boris.” It reminded Australians of when the then-President Donald Trump’s spokesman Sean Spicer repeatedly referred to Mr. Morrison’s predecessor, Malcolm Turnbull, in 2017 as “Mr Trumble.” Mr. Morrison laughed off what some have described as an awkward exchange with Mr. Biden that undermined Australia’s significance to the United States.

“Usually when we speak privately, he refers to me as pal,’” Mr. Morrison told the Seven Network.

Mr. Morrison said he and the President enjoyed a great working relationship.

“Oh, I didn’t pay much attention to it. I mean, these things happen. They happen frequently,” Mr. Morrison told Nine Network.

“From time to time, you know, I’ve been known to let the odd name slip from my memory — that’s pretty normal in our line of work, I’ve got to be honest,” he added.

Mr. Morrison said he referred to Mr. Biden as “Mr. President” or “mate” in private conversations.

Mr. Morrison will visit the United States next week for the first time since Mr. Biden became the president. The pair will be joined by the leaders of India and Japan for a meeting of the Quad security dialogue.

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