Chinese Spy Ship Off Coast of Australia Monitoring U.S. - Australia Military Exercise

 

USNI News: Chinese Spy Ship Off Coast of Australia as Talisman Sabre Exercise Begins 

A Chinese surveillance ship is now off the east coast of Australia and expected to move further south to monitor the U.S.–Australian-led multinational exercise Talisman Sabre 2023, an Australian senior military officer announced Friday. 

Chinese ships have sailed off the coast of Australia before, and the vessel’s movement is not considered concerning, Lt. Gen Greg Bilton, chief of Joint Operations, Australian Defence Force (ADF), said during the opening ceremony of Talisman Sabre.  

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WNU Editor: Warnings have been issued .... Warning sent to Chinese surveillance vessel off Australia’s east coast (SKY News).  

Update: The Chinese are not impressed with this exercise .... Largest ever Australia-US joint military exercise a ‘paper tiger,’ experts say (Global Times). 

 Chinese Spy Ship Off Coast of Australia Monitoring U.S. - Australia Military Exercise  

Chinese Warship Blatantly Snoops On ‘Largest-Ever’ Talisman Saber Military Drills Involving US & Australia -- EurAsian Times 

Chinese ship shadows ‘biggest ever’ Australia-US joint military exercise -- SCMP  

Chinese spy ship sighted at Coral Sea: Deputy prime minister Richard Marles insists he isn't worried about vessel -- Daily Mail 

Chinese 'spy ships' expected to sit off Darwin and Central Queensland during Talisman Sabre military exercises -- ABC News Australia  

Talisman Sabre: Chinese spy ships moving into position to monitor war game exercise -- SKY News

US, UK And Australia Announce Nuclear Submarine Plan

 

Reuters: Eyeing China, Biden and allies unveil nuclear-powered submarine plan for Australia 

* First phase to see Australia buying US subs in early 2030s 

* Australia to receive new SSN-AUKUS class of subs in 2040s 

* Project to cost Australia $245 billion by 2055: defense official 

* Biden expects to speak to Chinese leader soon 

The United States, Australia and Britain on Monday unveiled details of a plan to provide Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines from the early 2030s to counter China's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. 

Addressing a ceremony at the U.S. naval base in San Diego, accompanied by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, U.S. President Joe Biden called the agreement under the 2021 AUKUS partnership part of a shared commitment to a free-and-open Indo-Pacific region with two of America's "most stalwart and capable allies." 

Sunak called it "a powerful partnership," adding: "For the first time ever it will mean three fleets of submarines working together across the Atlantic and Pacific keeping our oceans free ... for decades to come."  

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US, UK And Australia Announce Nuclear Submarine Plan  

Biden announces nuclear-powered submarines for Australia -- AP  

UK, US and Australia reveal details of nuclear submarine deal -- BBC  

China looms large as Biden makes submarine moves with UK, Australia -- CNN  

U.S. to sell nuke-powered subs to Australia in unprecedented deal -- Politico 

US, UK and Australia unveil nuclear submarine plan -- DW  

Australia To Field Virginia & SSN-AUKUS Submarines -- Naval News  

AUKUS Plan: Aussie Sailors to Serve on American Subs, RAN to Buy U.S. Virginia Attack Boats -- USNI News  

Aukus nuclear submarine deal loophole prompts proliferation fears -- The Guardian

US Senators Urge President Biden Not To Sell Nuclear-Powered Submarines To Australia Since The US Navy Needs Them

The US aims to build its own fleet of at least 60 nuclear-powered submarines but is struggling to meet its own needs. Photograph: Reuters 

The Guardian: US senators urge Joe Biden not to sell ‘scarce’ nuclear submarines to Australia 

Democrat and Republican lawmakers reportedly warned president that Aukus security pact could stress US submarine industrial base ‘to breaking point’ 

Two top US senators have urged president Joe Biden not to sell nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, warning it would diminish US national security given the vessels are “scarce”. 

The intervention confirms the US is under pressure not to sell its submarines before Australia is able to build its own as part of the Aukus alliance – meaning it could be decades before Australia gains nuclear submarines. 

A spokesperson for the Australian defence minister, Richard Marles, played down the leak, saying “the optimal pathway for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines is taking shape, and an announcement remains on track to be made in the first part of this year.”  

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US Senators Urge President Biden Not To Sell Nuclear-Powered Submarines To Australia Since The US Navy Needs Them  

EXCLUSIVE: Reed, Inhofe warn Biden AUKUS risks becoming ‘zero sum game’ for US Navy -- Breaking Defense  

US President Joe Biden warned AUKUS nuclear submarine deal could come at cost to American fleet -- ABC News Australia  

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese 'very confident' AUKUS deal will benefit all three countries, despite concerns raised in US -- ABC News Australia  

Government confident in getting submarines despite deep US opposition -- 9 News  

US Nuclear Submarines For Australia Hits Rough Waters; Canberra Confident of AUKUS Deal Despite Leaked Letters -- EurAsian Times

Australia Approves Extradition to US of Ex-Marine Pilot Over China Fighter Training

Daniel Edmund Duggan, 54, has been in custody since he was arrested in Orange on October 21.(Supplied: Lockheed Martin)  

VOA: Australia Approves Extradition to US of Ex-Marine Pilot 

Sydney — Australia has approved a request to extradite former U.S. Marine Corps pilot Daniel Duggan to the United States where he faces charges of money laundering and breaking U.S. arms control laws, the Attorney-General's Department said on Thursday. 

Duggan, who was arrested in Australia in October and remains in custody, is accused of breaking U.S. arms control laws by training Chinese military pilots to land on aircraft carriers, according to a 2017 indictment unsealed by a U.S. court in December.  

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Australia Approves Extradition to US of Ex-Marine Pilot Over China Fighter Training  

Australian government approves extradition of former US fighter pilot Daniel Duggan -- ABC News Australia  

Australia to extradite Marine vet who allegedly trained Chinese pilots -- Military Times  

Australia to extradite ex-US fighter pilot over China training -- Al Jazeera  

"Traitor" former US Marine pilot to be extradited to US from Australia -- War Is Boring

U.S. To Deploy Nuclear-Capable B-52 Bombers To Australia's North

 

ABC News Australia: US Air Force to deploy nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to Australia as tensions with China grow 

The United States is preparing to deploy up to six nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to northern Australia, a provocative move experts say is aimed squarely at China. 

An investigation by Four Corners can reveal Washington is planning to build dedicated facilities for the giant aircraft at Tindal air base, south of Darwin. 

The US has drawn up detailed plans for what it calls a "squadron operations facility" for use during the Northern Territory dry season, an adjoining maintenance centre and a parking area for "six B-52s".  

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WNU Editor: This is aimed at China, and Beijing has no illusions on what the US is doing.

Update: Yup. A big bullseye .... Why the United States' big plan to deploy huge nuclear bombers to the Northern Territory is going to put a 'bullseye' on Australia as tensions with China rise (Daily Mail). 

U.S. To Deploy Nuclear-Capable B-52 Bombers To Australia's North  

U.S. plans to deploy B-52 bombers to Australia's north -source -- Reuters  

US Building Facility to Base B-52 Bombers in Australia, ABC Says -- Bloomberg  

US to send B-52 bombers to Australia in HUGE move against China -- Yahoo News 

US plans to deploy B-52 bombers to northern Australia: Report -- Al Jazeera

Four B-2s Arrive In Australia Four Joint Exercises

 

Daily Mail: Four United States stealth bombers arrive in Australia in a dramatic show of force to the Indo-Pacific - before the military has yet another encounter with a Chinese warship 

* US B-2A stealth bombers landed at a Queensland RAAF base for joint exercises 

* The USAF move is intended to be a warning show of strength to China's leaders 

* Their arrival comes as another Australian warship is stalked by Chinese military 

* Chinese aircraft, ships and submarines all chased HMAS Parramatta in open seas 

Rarely-seen USAF B-2A stealth bombers have landed in Queensland in a high-profile show of strength, as Australian Defence Forces have another encounter with a Chinese warship. 

At least four bombers - whose unique design makes them virtually invisible to radar detection - touched down on Sunday at the RAAF Amberely Base, west of Brisbane. 

The 'flying wing'-style aircraft flew 14,000km from their US base in Missouri on a 'training and strategic deterrence mission in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific'. 

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WNU Editor: B-1s have also been deployed to Guam .... These Photos From The B-1B’s Latest Guam Deployment Are Just Ridiculous (Warzone/The Drive). 

Four B-2s Arrive In Australia Four Joint Exercises

B-2 Spirit stealth bombers deploy to RAAF Base Amberley, Australia -- Pacific Air Forces  

B-2 Spirit aircraft arrives at RAAF Base Amberley -- Australian Government Defense 

B-2s Deploy to Australia for Bomber Task Force Mission -- Air Force Magazine  

US Air Force deploys its B-2 stealth bombers to Australia -- Defence Blog  

B-2 Stealth Bombers Land in Australia for Pacific Joint Exercise -- Defense Post

UK, US And Australia Announce Historic Security Pact In The Asia-Pacific

 

BBC: Aukus: UK, US and Australia launch pact to counter China 

The UK, US and Australia have announced a historic security pact in the Asia-Pacific, in what's seen as an effort to counter China. 

It will let Australia build nuclear-powered submarines for the first time, using technology provided by the US. 

The Aukus pact, which will also cover AI and other technologies, is one of the countries' biggest defence partnerships in decades, analysts say. 

China has condemned the agreement as "extremely irresponsible". 

Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said it "seriously undermines regional peace and stability and intensifies the arms race". 

China's embassy in Washington accused the countries of a "Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice".  

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 More News On Today's Formation Of AUKUS  

Remarks by President Biden, Prime Minister Morrison of Australia, and Prime Minister Johnson of the United Kingdom Announcing the Creation of AUKUS -- White House  

US, UK and Australia announce Indo-Pacific defense partnership -- DW  

Biden announces joint deal with U.K. and Australia to counter China -- Politico  

Australia to get nuclear submarines in new deal with US, UK, sending potential message to China -- USA Today

US, UK and Australia agree new Indo-Pacific security pact -- Al Jazeera

France Says President Biden 'Stabbed Them In The Back' With Australian Submarine Deal

 

Daily Mail: Biden finds himself at center of another international storm: France says it has been 'stabbed in the back' by US-UK-Australia defense pact to take on China after losing out on $90bn nuclear sub contract 

* Unprecedented security partnership was announced by Biden, Boris Johnson Scott Morrison 

* The agreement will see US, UK and Australia share nuclear technology secrets in tech battle with the Chinese 

* The pact means Australian navy will be equipped with nuclear-powered vessels made by US and UK 

* France was due to make Australia's new subs - but claimed last night it had been 'stabbed in the back' 

* New Zealand also isolated with Jacinda Ardern declaring the submarines will be banned from their waters 

Joe Biden has found himself at the epicenter of another international outcry after the President announced a new pact between the US, UK and Australia to build a fleet of nuclear submarines to combat China. 

The new alliance - called AUKUS - will see the US and UK cooperate to build Australia's first ever nuclear submarine fleet of at least eight vessels.

It has been condemned by China as an example of 'Cold War mentality' and left France fuming after the new deal saw a pre-existing $90billion contract for France to build Australia's subs torn up.  

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WNU Editor: France is not the only nation not happy with this submarine deal .... China fumes over U.S. nuclear sub pact with Britain, Australia (Reuters).  

Update: France now wants to be compensated .... France mulling compensation claim as Australia pulls out of submarine contract worth billions, favoring UK & US partners (RT). 

More News On France's Reaction to The U.S./U.K./Australia Nuclear Submarine Deal  

‘Stab in the back’: French fury as Australia scraps submarine deal -- The Guardian  

France says Biden acted like Trump to sink Australia defence deal -- Reuters  

Australia riles France with sudden US-UK nuclear submarine pact -- France 24  

France hits back as Australia dumps submarine deal -- DW  

France issues angry response to nuclear submarine deal between US, UK, Australia -- FOX News  

Nuclear submarine deal will reshape Indo-Pacific relations -- AP  

France says Biden acted like Trump as UK & US steal huge Aussie submarine deal in 'brutal, unilateral and unpredictable decision' -- RT

Australia, US, And The UK To Announce A Landmark New Defence Pact

(From L-R) Scott Morrison, Joe Biden and Boris Johnson will unveil a new defence pact on Thursday morning.  

Politico: Biden to announce joint deal with U.K. and Australia on advanced defense-tech sharing 

One source said there is a nuclear-defense infrastructure to the three-way pact known as AUUKUS. 

President Joe Biden will announce a new working group with Britain and Australia to share advanced technologies in a thinly veiled bid to counter China, a White House official and a congressional staffer told POLITICO. 

The trio, which will be known by the acronym AUUKUS, will make it easier for the three countries to share information and know-how in key technological areas like artificial intelligence, cyber, underwater systems and long-range strike capabilities. 

One of the people said there will be a nuclear element to the pact in which the U.S. and U.K. share their knowledge of how to maintain nuclear-defense infrastructure. 

There’s nothing explicitly mentioning China in the three-way deal, the people said, but both noted that the subtext of the announcement is that this is another move by Western allies to push back on China’s rise in the military and technology arenas.  

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WNU Editor: It looks like the Five Eyes is becoming the Three Eyes. Canada and New Zealand are not a part of this agreement. 

More News On Australia, US, And The UK To Announce A Landmark New Defence Pact 

Biden to announce alliance with Britain, Australia on tech, cyber, defense -Politico -- Reuters  

Australia, US and UK to form AUUKUS under a new nuclear defence pact -- News.com.au  

Australia, the US and UK to announce landmark new defence pact -- Sydney Morning Herald  

BREAKING: Biden to announce 3-way pact on intelligence sharing with UK, Australia -- Post Millennial 

Biden to launch NUCLEAR tech working group alongside UK and Australia in apparent bid to push back against China – reports -- RT