UK, US and Australia form defence alliance 'Aukus' in bid to keep China in check

The first initiative under Aukus will be for the three allies to work together to secure nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy

Royal Navy Merlin helicopters on the flight deck during Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to HMS Queen Elizabeth at HM Naval Base, Portsmouth. Picture: PA

The UK has announced a new defence partnership with the US and Australia as Western allies look to keep a check on China’s growing power in the Indo-Pacific.

In a joint statement on Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, US President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed the creation of a “new trilateral defence partnership”.