Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with defense chiefs from Australia and the United Kingdom at the U.S. military's defense technology hub in Silicon Valley to strengthen high-tech military cooperation and counter China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The goal of the meeting was to increase technology cooperation and information sharing to better address global security challenges and contribute to stability and prosperity in the region.

This meeting is part of the broader AUKUS partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which aims to equip Australia with a fleet of eight nuclear-powered submarines. Under the agreement, Australia will buy three Virginia-class submarines from the United States and build five AUKUS-class submarines in cooperation with Britain. The submarines, powered by U.S. nuclear technology, will not carry nuclear weapons and will be built in Adelaide, Australia, with the first one expected to be finished around 2040.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles emphasized the need for improved maritime drones and precision strike capabilities, stating that as an island nation, Australia has unique requirements. British Secretary of State for Defense Grant Shapps highlighted the importance of innovation, particularly in the face of China's undermining of freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific and the South China Sea.

The agreement also includes plans for military exercises involving undersea and surface maritime drones, as well as the sharing of intelligence and data collected by sonobuoys, which are used to detect submarines and other objects in the water. The three countries also aim to expand the use of artificial intelligence, including on P-8A surveillance aircraft, to enhance anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Additionally, new radar sites will be established to bolster the detection and tracking of objects in deep space.

The meeting at the Defense Innovation Unit headquarters showcased various high-tech projects being developed, demonstrating the ongoing effort by the three nations to improve technology. Defense Secretary Austin had the opportunity to witness a swarm of drones in action and explore virtual training devices, including a portable pilot training module that will allow instructors in the United States to remotely coach trainees overseas using virtual reality.

The increased military cooperation between the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom comes in response to concerns about China's defense spending and expanding military presence in the region. Tensions between China and the United States have been exacerbated by trade disputes, U.S. support for Taiwan, Beijing's military buildup on manmade islands, and aggressive encounters between aircraft and ships.

Overall, this new agreement signifies a commitment to harnessing advanced technology and strengthening military capabilities to counter China's influence and promote security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.