Japan is set to officially join AUKUS, the first nation to sign on outside the original Australia-United Kingdom-United States trilateral security partnership.
AUKUS was announced in September 2021 primarily to create a pathway for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered but conventionally-armed submarines, which at this stage aren’t of interest to Japan.
However, AUKUS’ second strand termed Pillar II – cooperation on development of advanced technology – is, and Japan’s engagement seems to be a done deal.
Japan’s accession was foreshadowed by America's Ambassador in Tokyo Rahm Emanuel who wrote in the Wall Street Journal on Friday that Japan was about to become the first additional Pillar II partner in AUKUS.
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is visiting the US this week, with the prospect that Japan’s official inclusion will be announced following his meeting with US President Joe Biden on Wednesday.
UK Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps said consultation with other countries, including Japan, as potential collaborators on some advanced military capabilities under Pillar II would begin this year.
“Australia, the UK and US are considering Japan’s potential involvement in some elements of the Pillar II program,” he said in a statement released in the UK overnight.
“Pillar II includes quantum technologies, undersea capabilities, artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy, cyber, hypersonic and counter-hypersonic capabilities and electronic warfare capabilities, supported by innovation and information sharing.”
Shapps said partners have always been clear on the intent to engage additional nations in Pillar II as the work progresses.
A statement released on Tuesday by Defence Minister Richard Marles, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and UK Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps, delivered a report card on AUKUS progress a year after the announcement of the Optimal Pathway for Australia to acquire nuclear submarines.
That included the reference to Japan.
“Recognising Japan's strengths and its close bilateral defence partnerships with all three countries, we are considering cooperation with Japan on AUKUS Pillar II advanced capability projects,” they said.
The statement included a repeat of the AUKUS rationale, without mentioning China.
“Our three countries seek to maximise the strategic benefits of the AUKUS partnership to support security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond,” they said.
“Australia's acquisition of a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability is a necessary response to the rapidly evolving strategic environment.
“Strengthening our trilateral defence capabilities and our industrial capacity will enable AUKUS partners to deter coercion or aggression in the region more effectively.”
The statement noted that significant tangible steps had occurred, most recently announcements that Australia had selected ASC and BAE Systems to build SSN-AUKUS submarines and selection of ASC as Australia's nuclear-powered submarine sustainment partner.
The most significant maintenance activity to be conducted on a visiting US SSN in Australia is scheduled for the second half of this year.
“The maintenance activity, supported by a Submarine Tender, will be critical to building Australia's ability to safely and securely sustain US SSNs in preparation for the establishment of Submarine Rotational Force – West,” it says.
“In anticipation of this forthcoming activity, 37 Royal Australian Navy sailors reported to the USS Emory S. Land in Guam in late January 2024 to begin training and to gain the necessary skills and qualifications.”
Later this year, ASC employees will begin placements at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard to develop skills necessary to sustain Virginia-class SSNs
These will be the first Australian civilian industry personnel to train in the US following passage of the US National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024.
More than 20 Australian sailors and officers are currently in the US Navy Submarine Training system.
The first three RAN submarine officers completed the US naval nuclear power training pipeline and are on track to graduate from the Submarine Officer Basic Course in Groton, Connecticut, later this month.
In June they will begin postings to US Virginia-class submarines operating from of Pearl Harbour. Over the next year numbers in the US submarine training system and aboard US submarines will exceed 100.