Johnson’s Pacific military alliance is reckless post-imperial nostalgia

The Aukus deal has enraged China and humiliated France, when British diplomacy should be concentrated on Europe, writes Simon Jenkins

The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) returns to US Naval Base in Guam. Australia’s prime minister Scott Morrison has rejected Chinese criticism of Australia’s new nuclear submarine alliance with the US. Picture provided by US Navy

THE Aukus defence deal between Britain, the US, and Australia grows murkier by the day. Essentially it is the outcome of an industrial dispute over who will build eight submarines for the Australian military. Australia ordered some €56bn worth of diesel-powered ones from France and then changed its mind, reneging on the deal. It now wants nuclear-powered ones from the US and Britain.

Crewed submarines are approaching obsolescence, near useless in an age of “transparent” oceans and underwater drones. Like tanks, they drip with cost, inefficiency and a craving to fight outdated wars. But defence contracts have a corporate and political existence that transcends utility. If Australia seriously thinks China is a threat, it might as well have some new gold-plated weapons ready.