The leaders of Australia and New Zealand announced on Friday that the AUKUS trilateral defense pact will enhance regional security and stability, amid concerns that they are facing the most difficult strategic environment since World War II.
Although New Zealand is not a signatory to the pact between the United States, Australia, and Britain, it is exploring potential collaboration on “pillar two” of the agreement, which focuses on shared military technology. This aspect is distinct from the first pillar aimed at providing Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, during a press briefing with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, stated, “We share very much common values and we share common objectives, and it is not surprising we will look at any opportunity for including New Zealand in pillar two.” The U.S. has indicated that New Zealand is welcome to engage in AUKUS discussions.
These remarks followed an announcement from the U.S. State Department, which highlighted that Australia, Britain, and the U.S. now have compatible export-control regimes, a crucial step for facilitating technology sharing within AUKUS.
Luxon emphasized that security ties with Australia, New Zealand’s only formal defense ally, would remain strong, expressing the intention to ensure full interoperability between their defense forces. Last year, both nations signed an agreement to enhance the capabilities and readiness of military personnel.
A joint statement issued after the meeting in Canberra committed both leaders to “working in lockstep like never before to ensure our nations’ security and prosperity.”
They expressed serious concern regarding “dangerous, destabilizing, and provocative behavior in the South China Sea” and highlighted the necessity of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Furthermore, both leaders pointed out that cyber intrusions would be regarded as armed attacks if they endangered the territorial integrity, political independence, or security of either country.