Boris Johnson-Biden announcement: China on alert as new Western alliance UNVEILED
BORIS JOHNSON has made an announcement on national security alongside President Biden and Australian PM Scott Morrison after the three countries agreed a new alliance to counter China.
Joe Biden appears to forget Australian PMs name
The trio will appear together on camera at 10 pm after reports suggest the announcement will confirm a new trilateral security partnership. Joe Biden is also expected to use the occasion to unveil a new working group with Britain and Australia to share advanced technologies.
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KEY EVENTS
Leaders release joint statement
In a joint statement, Boris Johnson, Joe Biden, and Scott Morrison said they aim to "deepen diplomatic, security, and defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region" to meet with the "challenges of the twenty-first century."
"We will leverage expertise from the United States and the United Kingdom, building on the two countries’ submarine programs to bring an Australian capability into service at the earliest achievable date", the trio said.
They added that AUKUS aims to "sustain peace and stability" in the region and "protect our shared values and promote security and prosperity."
UK and Australia have history of collaborating on defence.
In recent years the UK and Australia have allowed defence forces to operate together more than ever before.
Militaries, including the Royal Gurkha Rifles, have undertaken joint training exercises and The Royal Australian Navy is procuring up to nine of the UK’s Type 26 frigates.
Biden mocked on social media
Joe Biden is now being mocked on sociel media for calling the Australian PM "that fella down under".
Mr Biden thanked Boris Johnson before turning to Scott Morrison and saying "I want to thanks...uh...that fella down under.
"Thank you very much pal."
READ MORE: Joe Biden mocked as POTUS calls Aussie PM 'that fella down under' | World | News | Express.co.uk
Joe Biden appears to forget Australian PMs name
Three nations are 'naturally allies'
Following the announcement Number 10 tweeted that the new partnership is "increasingly vital" for defending the UK's interests around the world whilst continuing to protect people back home.
The UK, Australia and US are natural allies, and our new partnership will become increasingly vital for defending our interests around the world and protecting our people back at home.
\u2014 UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) September 15, 2021
\u2192 https://t.co/wNEKOzAyzX
\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8#AUKUS pic.twitter.com/7aV8PEKHlU
Nations to be 'joined even more closely', says Boris Johnson
During the announcement Boris Johnson said the UK, Australia and the US will be "joined even more closely together, reflecting the measure of trust between us, the depth of our friendship, and the enduring strength of our shared values of freedom and democracy."
"Now the UK will embark on this project alongside our allies, making the world safer and generating jobs across the United Kingdom."
What will be the first initiative?
The first initiative of the new project will be a collaboration on future nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.
The UK government said this will "promote stability" in support of shared values and interests.
The UK has been building and operating nuclear-powered submarines for over 60 years in Rolls Royce near Derby and BAE Systems in Barrow.
AUKUS will 'protect peaceful international order'
A government press release says AUKUS will "work to protect" and support a "peacefully and rules-based international order."
The defence and security partnership has been agreed by all three leaders to protect and defence the Indo-Pacific.
The three countries will enhance the development of joint capabilities and technology sharing, to "ensuring people are kept safe from harm and reinforce shared goals."
'That guy down under'
Biden has begun by referring to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison as "that guy down under".
He continued "I am honoured today to be joined by two or Americas closest allies."
\ud83d\udea8 | NEW: Joe Biden seems to forget PM of Australia Scott Morrison\u2019s name pic.twitter.com/s1u4D5cRii
\u2014 Politics For All (@PoliticsForAlI) September 15, 2021
AUKUS will create hundreds of jobs in UK
Boris Johnson has confirmed that the project will create "hundreds of highly skilled jobs" across the UK.
The Prime Minister said jobs will be available in Scotland, the north of England and the midlands to "take forward the government's purpose of levelling up across the whole country."
Most 'complex and demanding project' in the world
Boris Johnson is next, he opened by saying "we are opening a new chapter in our friendship."
He continued to add the 'AUKUS' project will be one of the most "complex and technically demanding in the world" lasting over decades.
Prime Minister Morrison kicks off the announcement
Australian PM Scott Morrison kicked off the press conference announcing the new 'AUKUS' partnership.
He began by saying the three nations "have always seen the world through a similar lense.
Biden to be joined virtually
US President Joe Biden will be joined virtually by Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The trio are due to make an announcement at 10 pm.
UK security review outlined plans for 'tilt'
Earlier this year, in the integrated review of security and foreign policy, the UK Government outlined plans for a "tilt" in focus towards the Indo-Pacific, with aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth being deployed on a voyage east - a decision said to be about sending a message to Beijing and Russia about Britain's military might.
The attempt to secure an allied nuclear-powered submarine in the Pacific is seen as a tool to "contain Chinese military expansion", says Politico.
Group to be known as AUUKUS
According to Politico, the new group known by the acronym AUUKUS.
The group will share information in key technological areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber, underwater systems, and long-range strike capabilities.
Announcement is 'unprecedented'
Political commentator Tom Newton Dunn said the announcement is "unprecedented".
The surprise announcement comes after Boris Johnson spent the day reshuffling his cabinet members.
This is unprecedented: No10 have just announced Boris Johnson, Joe Biden and Australian PM Scott Morrison will make a joint TV address at 10pm tonight. It will be "a strategic national security announcement\u201d. No further details.
\u2014 Tom Newton Dunn (@tnewtondunn) September 15, 2021
'Multi-billion dollar' program to be scrapped
Reports suggest that the trio will announce a new trilateral security partnership.
It would see Australia scrap a "multi-billion dollar program" to build a nuclear-powered fleet with US and British technology.
\ud83d\udea8 | NEW: Australia, the US and Britain are to jointly announce a new trilateral security partnership that will see Australia scrap a multi-billion dollar program to build French-designed submarines and build a nuclear-powered fleet with U.S. and British technology instead.
\u2014 Politics For All (@PoliticsForAlI) September 15, 2021