Biden announces nuclear submarine deal with the UK and Australia to take on ... trends now
President Joe Biden has agreed to sell three fast-attack nuclear submarines to Australia in a deal with the United Kingdom to combat the growing threat of China.
Biden announced the pact at the home of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in San Diego and in front of the 377-foot nuclear attack submarine the USS Missouri.
The AUKUS deal is about making sure the 'Indo Pacific will remain free and open', the president said in a clear message to Beijing as it ramps up its military presence around Taiwan.
He then told British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: 'The United States could not think of two better friends to stand with.
'I am proud to be your shipmate,' he added.
The move marks one of Biden's most aggressive step towards China's growing military, and is combined with the Pentagon requesting its biggest peacetime budget in history.
President Joe Biden has agreed to sell three fast-attack nuclear submarines to Australia in a deal with the United Kingdom to combat the growing threat of China. He spoke with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (right) in front of the nuclear attack submarine the USS Missouri
He then told British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: 'I am proud to be your ship mate'
The U.S. will share nuclear technology with Australia to help them develop their own fleet that can take on Chinese subs.
The announcement came as the financial markets continued to spiral because of the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank.
'The United States has safeguarded stability in the Indo-Pacific for decades for the enormous benefit of nations throughout the region,' Biden said.
'We’re showing again how democracies can deliver our own security and prosperity, and not just for us but for the entire world,' he added.
In a joint statement, Biden, Albanese and Sunak endorsed plans for the so-called AUKUS project, first announced in 2021, which angered French President Emmanuel Macron.
Under the deal, the United States intends to sell Australia three U.S. Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines in the early 2030s, with an option to buy two more if needed, the joint statement said.
The statement from the leaders said the multi-stage project would culminate with British and Australian
