New Military Alliance Intensifies Arms Race

The US aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson was reported to have sailed near the Natuna Block in Indonesia\'s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Kompas

In this photo provided by U.S. Navy, the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) returns to U.S. Naval Base in Guam, Aug. 19, 2021. Australia\'s Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday, Sept. 17, 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.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Indonesia has expressed concern about the decision of Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom to form a military alliance in the region. Such a concern arises mainly because the alliance, called AUKUS, presents a new nuclear power. One of AUKUS’ aims is to help Australia acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines.

Australia will be the only country without nuclear weapons to possess a nuclear-powered submarine. In Asia, only India and China have nuclear submarines and nuclear weapons. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison claimed that Canberra would not pursue nuclear weapons possession.