The Aukus deal is an undeniable diplomatic success for the UK. The security and defense partnership announced on Wednesday (September 15) by Washington, London and Canberra, aimed at helping Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region, provides consistency with the Hitherto nebulous concept of “Global Britain” wanted by the Boris Johnson government.

It also allows the British leader to reaffirm the strength of the famous “special relationship” with Washington, undermined during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan: the British were baffled, as were the other allies of the United States.

“While some still wonder what the tipping point means “Global Britain“ towards the Indo-Pacific area, and the capabilities we are willing to dedicate to it, this partnership with Australia and the United States provides the answer, welcomed Boris Johnson, Thursday, September 16, from the House of Commons. This is yet another manifestation of our long-term commitment to [cette] region and our willingness to help one of our oldest allies preserve regional stability. “

In March, Downing Street published its “Integrated Defense, Security and Foreign Policy Review”, which sets the priorities of the UK recently divorced from the European Union (EU) for the next ten years. This thick document emphasized the now central geopolitical importance of the Indo-Pacific zone, and the consequences that flow from it: the country had to considerably strengthen its presence there.

“Forging closer ties with countries outside the EU”

The Europeans had little taste, at the time, that London showed no desire to sign a strategic defense and security agreement with them. But, until now, the only tangible manifestations of these Asian ambitions had been the shipment to the China Sea of ​​the new Royal Navy aircraft carrier: the HMS-Queen-Elizabeth – and the signing of an agreement in principle on a free trade agreement with Australia.

For Sophia Gaston, Head of Britain’s Foreign Policy Group, the new deal “It puts some of the ambitions of the ‘integrated review’ into practice, highlighting the UK’s expertise and technological strengths, while advocating shared responsibility. The country certainly does not have the capacity to replicate the presence of other allies in the Indo-Pacific region, but it shows where it can add value ”.

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