AUKUS pact: Reshaping global military strategies against China

The French administration described the plans to cooperate with Australia for Canberra's acquisition of 12-16 new submarines as a "50-year marriage," intended to replace the 12 conventional Collins-class submarines.

A project with a budget of around £34 billion envisioned the delivery by the French Naval Group of new vessels to the Australian navy, built with the involvement of Australian industry and based on the French Suffren/Barracuda class.

Submarines of this type—nuclear-powered and equipped with long-range cruise missiles MdCN—are intended to be the strike pillar of the French submarine fleet. The Netherlands also chose them (as the Orka type) in the variant with conventional propulsion.

Australia had also ordered them as the Shortfin Barracuda type; however, in September 2021, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison unexpectedly announced the cancellation of the contract with France and the establishment of the global AUKUS agreement.

The goal of the agreement, made by Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, was initially to deliver new submarines to Australia, constructed with the participation of American, British, and Australian industries.

This decision, in addition to angering France, also cost Canberra 555 million euros in compensation, which Australia agreed to pay to the would-be strategic partner. In return, its navy is expected to receive, by the end of the 2030s, alongside transitional American Virginia-class nuclear submarines, the final AUKUS-type units. What is known about them?

SSN-AUKUS (also known as SSN-A) are new-generation nuclear-powered attack submarines. Their design is expected to incorporate innovations in the currently produced American Virginia-class submarines.

The primary mission of the SSN-A units is countering enemy submarines, although, thanks to cruise missiles, they will also be capable of attacking land targets. The displacement of the new units is estimated at a minimum of 9,000 metric tonnes, and the hull length at 110 metres. The submarines are expected to reach depths of up to 900 metres, with their high resistance to corrosion being a significant feature, allowing for up to 25 years of service without risk of deterioration.

A key advantage is the propulsion system, which has a service life estimated at 42 years (practically without the need for fuel replacement). This enables rapid underwater movement over distances of thousands of nautical miles unmatched by conventionally powered units. This feature means that the Australian navy gains new operational capabilities, including challenging the Chinese fleet far from its home ports.

The SSN-A type units are also expected to be acquired by the British navy in the future, where they will replace the currently operated Astute-class submarines.

The AUKUS agreement, initially started with collaborative efforts on submarines, was later expanded to include new-generation PrSM ballistic missiles (intended initially to complement and later replace MGM-140 ATACMS) and stealthy drones.

It's worth noting that while AUKUS introduces a new quality in allied relations, it confirms the long-standing status quo. Australia, along with New Zealand (which limited cooperation with the USA in the 1980s), are members of the Pacific equivalent of NATO—the ANZUS defence alliance.

The establishment of AUKUS is often seen as confirmation of the American "pivot to the Pacific," which, driven by China's aspirations, has become a key arena in the global struggle for influence for the USA.

This perception isn't entirely accurate, as Washington, although it considered Europe the primary area of potential conflict with the Soviets during the Cold War, never turned its back on the Pacific or abandoned it.

In the American perception, Pacific islands were the scene of the bloodiest battles of World War II. The historical rivalry between the USA and USSR, "cold" in nature for Europe, often turned into a "hot" war over the Pacific, with significant involvement—as in Korea or Vietnam—from the United States and its allies (Australia and New Zealand sent contingents to Vietnam as part of ANZUS support).

The shift of global rivalry's focal point to the Pacific is evident in changes occurring in the US armed forces. The Pentagon is strengthening American bases in the Pacific, such as on Guam, building early warning stations protected by anti-ballistic and anti-aircraft "umbrellas."

The navy is also evolving from supporting inland operations to a force capable of conducting large naval operations. The USA is expanding its fleet of modern Navajo-class rescue ships, capable of providing assistance to large, damaged vessels at sea. Fast Cody-class hospital catamarans are being developed, and large America-class amphibious ships are being tested as light aircraft carriers.

The USA is also establishing floating logistics bases for the fleet—using modified Alaska-class tanker hulls to build large (233 metres long, 80,000 metric tonnes displacement) floating bases. Lewis B. Puller-class units are designed to transport large quantities of fuel, ammunition, and all necessary supplies for fleet operations far from home ports. They are also equipped with a flight deck and adapted to support heavy helicopters.

An important change, confirming political declarations, is also the direction of modernization in the Marine Corps. The Marines, who bore the brunt of battles on Pacific islands against the Japanese during World War II, had lost their unique role by the early 21st century.

During the War on Terror, Marine units conducted operations in deserts and mountains, becoming similar in equipment and combat style to mechanised infantry. The return to the sea roots of the formation happened relatively recently, with the proposals of Robert Gates, the Secretary of Defense under George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

The Marines began moving away from the previous practice of operating based on few, large amphibious ships towards more numerous, smaller units. Moreover, the Corps' combat rules were changed, aiming to engage the enemy not— as before—after landing on an attacked shore, but much earlier during the approach.

As a result of these changes, the ongoing rearmament process of the American Marine Corps includes modern equipment in line with the new strategies.

At the expense of tube artillery, rocket capabilities are enhanced with additional HIMARS launchers. Old AAV7 amphibious vehicles are replaced by modern ACVs, and heavy M1A1 Abrams tanks, less useful on beaches and Pacific islands, have been completely phased out of the Corps. Poland benefited from this by acquiring M1A1 FEP tanks, stored—and available—after the decommissioning of Marine armour units.