Current:Home > NewsAustralia and New Zealand leaders seek closer defense ties-InfoLens
Australia and New Zealand leaders seek closer defense ties
View Date:2024-12-23 14:44:55
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia and New Zealand leaders agreed Wednesday to seek closer defense ties as the latter considers sharing advanced military technologies with the United States and Britain through the so-called AUKUS partnership.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made Australia the destination of his first overseas visit since forming a coalition government following his election in October. Luxon said he and his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, agreed at their meeting in Sydney the two countries’ defense and foreign ministers would meet in early 2024 to ensure their plans were “aligned and coordinated.”
“We know we’re facing a more challenging and complex world. Close security and defense relationships we have with our only ally, Australia, is very foundational for New Zealand,” Luxon told reporters.
“New Zealand is committed to doing our share of the heavy lifting in the alliance and I’m determined that New Zealand will continue to be alongside Australia as we seek to advance our shared interests and our common values,” Luxon added.
The United States and Britain have agreed to provide Australia with a fleet of submarines powered by U.S. nuclear technology under the AUKUS agreement to counter a growing military threat to the region posed by China. AUKUS is an acronym for Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Luxon said New Zealand was interested in becoming involved in AUKUS Pillar 2: a commitment between the three partners to develop and share advanced military capabilities, including artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and hypersonics.
“We’ll work our way through that over the course of next year as we understand it more and think about what the opportunities may be for us,” Luxon said. “AUKUS is a very important element in ensuring we’ve got stability and peace in the region.”
Albanese said there were opportunities for greater cooperation between the two countries’ militaries, particularly in interoperability.
“The more that we cooperate, the better the benefit for both of our countries,” Albanese said.
New Zealand has banned nuclear-powered ships from using its ports since 1984. Luxon said his country’s nuclear-free status was “not negotiable.”
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Should Georgia bench Carson Beck with CFP at stake against Tennessee? That's not happening
- Appeals court spikes Tennessee’s bid to get family planning dollars despite abortion rule
- Watch this stranded dolphin saved by a Good Samaritan
- Love Is Blind’s Stacy Snyder Comes Out as Queer
- Inflation ticked up in October, CPI report shows. What happens next with interest rates?
- Darlington honors the late Cale Yarborough at his hometown track where he won five Southern 500s
- Children’s book to blame for fire inside car, North Carolina officials say
- Julián Ortega, Actor in Netflix’s Elite, Dead at 41 After Collapsing on Beach
- Mike Tyson has lived a wild life. These 10 big moments have defined his career
- Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber’s Pal Adwoa Aboah Reveals Baby Jack’s True Birth Date
Ranking
- Man gets a life sentence in the shotgun death of a New Mexico police officer
- Oh, the humanities: Can you guess the most-regretted college majors?
- Florida to execute man convicted of 1994 killing of college student in national forest
- Why Tarek El Moussa Gave a “Shoutout” to Botox on His 43rd Birthday
- Man killed in Tuskegee University shooting in Alabama is identified. 16 others were hurt
- Krispy Kreme offers a dozen doughnuts for $2 over Labor Day weekend: See how to redeem
- Goldberg watching son from sideline as Colorado, Deion Sanders face North Dakota State
- US Open Day 3 highlights: Coco Gauff cruises, but title defense is about to get tougher
Recommendation
-
TikToker Campbell “Pookie” Puckett Gives Birth, Welcomes First Baby With Jett Puckett
-
Goldberg watching son from sideline as Colorado, Deion Sanders face North Dakota State
-
Washington DC police officer killed while attempting to retrieve discarded firearm
-
FAA grounds SpaceX after fiery landing of uncrewed launch: It may impact Starliner, Polaris Dawn
-
California researchers discover mysterious, gelatinous new sea slug
-
UEFA Champions League draw: Every team's opponents, new format explained for 2024-25
-
Average rate on a 30-year mortgage eases to 6.35%, its lowest level in more than a year
-
West Elm’s Labor Day Sale Has Ridiculously Good 80% Off Deals: $2.79 Towels, 16 Ornaments for $10 & More