Mediasi Journal of International Relations

Vol.06 No.02 2023

DOI: 10.21111/mediasi.v6i2.11105

Analysis of The Effect of The AUKUS Defense Pact on

Indo-Pacific Security
Mohammad Damayantar1*, Imam Zarkachi2
1 Department of International Relations, Faculty of Humanities, Darussalam University, Jl. Raya Siman
Km. 5 Siman, Ponorogo, East Java, 63471, Indonesia.
2 Lecturer of UNIDA Gontor, Department of International Relations , Jl. Raya Siman Km. 5 Siman,

Ponorogo, East Java, 63471, Indonesia.

Corresponding Email: [email protected] :

Abstract
Article History: The AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, and the United States
Received: Nov 01, 2023 of America) Defense Pact, inaugurated on September 15, 2021,
Revised: Dec 20, 2023 has affected countries in the Indo-Pacific Region. This study
Accepted: Dec 23, 2023 aims to analyze the effect of the AUKUS Defense Pact on security
Published: Dec 30, 2023
in the Indo-Pacific Region. The research method used in this
study is a qualitative approach with descriptive analysis, in
which data relevant to the object of research are collected
through library research. The analysis is carried out using a
realism approach with a focus on the concept of trilateral
security alliances and security dilemmas. The study results show
that the presence of the AUKUS Pact in the Indo-Pacific Region
can affect regional security governance, including developing
Keywords: AUKUS
defense technology, military cooperation, and foreign policy.
Defense Pact, Regional This Pact raises concern from countries in the area about
Security, Security AUKUS intentions in securing the Indo-Pacific Region,
Dilemma, Trilateral especially with the plan to build a nuclear submarine which has
Security Alliance, Indo- becom e controversial. On the other hand, several countries in
Pacific the Indo-Pacific Region also face a security dilemma due to the
AUKUS Defense Pact, especially China and several ASEAN
countries, which feel threatened by the presence of AUKUS.
AUKUS has led to China increasing its military activity in
response to what it perceives as threats to its country's security.
In addition, polemics among countries in the Indo-Pacific
Region in response to AUKUS also shows the complexity of the
security of the Indo-Pacific Region.

© [year] author(s) Mediasi Journal of International Relations Published by Universitas

Darussalam Gontor. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-
Commercial https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/deed.id
 Mediasi Journal of International Relations
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DOI: 10.21111/mediasi.v6i2.11105

I. INTRODUCTION
Australia, the United States, and United Kingdom have been allies for 70 years
and still are today. In the Indo-Pacific Region, Australia is America's closest ally and,
after Britain, its most important ally. Australia has participated in all significant United
States-led wars since the beginning of the Cold War, most notably in Korea, Vietnam,
the 1991 Gulf War, and Afghanistan and Iraq. In a number of these cases, the Australian
Government contributed military force in the belief that showing Australia was a good
ally of the United States. Australia hoped to be reciprocated by the United States if asked
for assistance by Australia. 1
Australia and the United Kingdom have a significant and comprehensive
relationship underpinned by a shared cultural heritage, values, cross-country ties, aligned
strategic views and interests, and substantial trade and investment ties. As members of
the Commonwealth of Nations, both countries share the same monarchy, and both are
active members of the Commonwealth of Nations. . The two countries are dialogue
partners at the highest levels of Government and think alike on global issues such as
international security, multilateral cooperation, and economic issues on the G20 agenda.
Indo-Pacific refers to the maritime zone that spans the Indian Ocean and Pacific
Ocean region, which is characterized by cooperation in foreign, defence, and economic
policies. The Indo-Pacific is different from regional integration, such as Southeast Asian
or European regionalism, because it can be understood more as an international political
issue that connects the two oceans. Several countries are interested in the Indo-Pacific
Region, which has excellent potential.
The Indo-Pacific Region has become a focal point of great power competition and
rivalry. The South China Sea is of great concern to many countries in the Region, which
makes the South China Sea dispute a critical issue that countries in the Indo-Pacific
Region must face. AUKUS was formed in response to China's increasingly assertive
regional actions. The Indo-Pacific, including the South China Sea, is still a crucial area
for China in various aspects and for multiple reasons. 2
At the level of government cooperation, especially in the Indo-Pacific Region,
relations between Australia and the United States are formalized with several agreements
such as ANZUS and AUKUS and Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement. Then,

1
U. S. Embassy, ‘ANZUS: Celebrating 70 Years Of The US-Australia Alliance’, 2021
<https://au.usembassy.gov/anzus-celebrating-70-years-of-the-us-australia-alliance>.
2
P. Davidson, ‘Introduction to Indo-Pacific Security Challenges’, Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs,
2019, 4–9.

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on September 15, 2021, Australian, British, and American leaders announced a new
security partnership in the Indo-Pacific Region, AUKUS. The partnership aims to
deepen cooperation and intelligence sharing between the three and assist Australia in
building a new nuclear-powered submarine. 3
Thus, this trilateral agreement is expected to be able to face the challenges faced
in the 21st century. One of the main factors that led to the formation of the AUKUS pact
is China's growing economic and military power and its hegemonic ambitions in the
Indo-Pacific region. China's assertiveness in the region, including its territorial claims in
the South China Sea and its pressure on Australia, has led to concerns among the US and
its allies about the need to counterbalance China's influence.The AUKUS pact can be
seen as a response to these challenges and as a way to strengthen the capabilities of the
US and its allies in the region.
One of the key features of the AUKUS pact is the development of nuclear
submarines by Australia, with the assistance of the US and UK. Nuclear submarines
offer several advantages over diesel-electric submarines, including greater endurance
and range, as well as better stealth capabilities and attack capabilities. By working with
the US and UK, Australia can also gain access to their nuclear submarine infrastructure
and develop its own capabilities in this area. Overall, the AUKUS pact represents a
significant shift in the strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific region, as countries seek
to balance against China's growing power and influence. Although China is not
mentioned explicitly, this agreement aims to reduce China's influence in the Indo-Pacific
Region. Before the AUKUS cooperation agreement, Australia had established
cooperation and alliances with several countries in the Indo-Pacific Region and non-
Indo-Pacific regions, such as the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) and Five Eyes
alliances. 4
AUKUS stands for the defense partnership between Australia, the United
Kingdom, and the United States, which will involve several components of the
cooperation, including developing a nuclear-powered submarine capability for Australia,
cybersecurity cooperation, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and underwater
capabilities. Under the Pact, Australia will gain new long-range strike capabilities for its
air force, navy, and ground forces. 5
The three countries agreed to collaborate on developing and constructing nuclear-
powered submarines over the next 18 months. This agreement drew protests from several

3
B. Harris, ‘United States Strategic Culture and Asia-Pacific Security’, Journal of Contemporary
Security Policy, 2019, 12–16.
4
T. P Cuong, ‘The Role of the AUKUS Alliance in Counterbalancing China.’, International
Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 2023, 52–55.
5
M. Shoebridge, ‘What Is AUKUS and What Is It Not?’, The Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Journal, 2021, 2–5.

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countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia including France, a Western ally that does not
feel involved. Singapore and the Philippines are two Southeast Asian countries that have
expressed their support for the AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, and United States)
alliance. Both countries have emphasized the importance of the alliance in maintaining
peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Adverse reactions also came from China,
which condemned the AUKUS deal. 6
It is important to note that the AUKUS pact is a relatively new development and
it take some time for other countries in the Indo-Pacific region to respond to it.
Additionally, some countries may be cautious about publicly expressing their stance on
the issue due to the complex geopolitical dynamics involved. one countries in the region
have preexisting security partnerships with one or more of the countries in the AUKUS
pact. For example, Japan has a longstanding security alliance with the United States,
while Australia has a security partnership with Japan, and there is Quad, Five Eyes and
ANZUS. These existing partnerships may affect how countries in the region view the
AUKUS pact and their response to it. 7 Overall, it take some time for other countries in
the Indo-Pacific region to formulate a clear response to the AUKUS pact.
The sudden emergence of the AUKUS security agreement between Australia, the
United States, and the United Kingdom only increased international unease. This newly
formed agreement campaigns for maritime democracy, shared ideals, and commitment
to an international rules-based order to deepen diplomatic, security, and defense
cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region.
Australia, which wants to build nuclear-powered submarines, can aim to affect
security in the Indo-Pacific Region. The AUKUS Defense Pact can potentially affect
security in the Indo-Pacific Region through a Security Dilemma, namely when a country
tries to maintain its security regardless of its intentions, which can cause inconvenience
to other countries, especially those around it. Each country that took these actions
considered that their actions were only defensive, and actions taken by other countries
were considered threatening. AUKUS has the potential to trigger tension and conflict in
the Region. In this case, the countries in the Indo-Pacific Region feel threatened by the
Pact, which could trigger an arms race in the Indo-Pacific Region.
This research is necessary because, besides that, no one has discussed the issue of
American-Australian Relations through the AUKUS pact in the context of regional
security, and also the AUKUS defense pact affects the security of the Indo-Pacific
Region which has caused quite serious responses and tensions in the Region, this
research is necessary and interesting to study.

6
M. Cheng, ‘“AUKUS: The Changing Dynamic and Its Regional Implications.”’, European
Journal of Development Studies, 2.1 (2022), 2–6.
7
E. a. Cornelis Atanassova, ‘“The US-Japan Alliance Dilemma in the Asia-Pacific: Changing
Rationales and Scope”’, The International Spectator, 54.4.89–93 (2019).

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II. METHODOLOGY
The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative method. Research using
qualitative methods is research by analyzing and describing a problem comprehensively,
analyzing sentences and providing detailed reports. In addition, the author uses a
descriptive method in which this qualitative research focuses on ontological activities.
The data collected comes from words, sentences or images that have meaning and are
able to spur understanding. In this study, the researcher emphasizes detailed, complete,
in-depth sentence descriptions that describe the actual situation to support the
presentation of data.

III. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom are known as the
"Anglosphere," with which they share close political, military, and economic ties. The
three countries are allies with a long history of cooperation on global issues. The United
States and Australia also share a strong military alliance. Australia is a crucial partner in
the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network, including the United States, United
Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. Then there is Quad and ANZUS.
In September 2021, a trilateral security cooperation called AUKUS was
announced between Australia, the UK, and the US. At the heart of this partnership is a
collaboration between the three parties to help Australia acquire a nuclear submarine
capability. Achieving this goal will require enormous costs and complex efforts to
complete the first ship, which will be completed by the end of 2030. The AUKUS
announcement also stated other outcomes to be achieved, such as enhancing
interoperability between the three partners, focusing on cyber capabilities, artificial
intelligence, quantum technology, and additional underwater capabilities for Australia.
The implementation of this AUKUS partnership started last year. There are two
tracks in completing that effort: Submarine, whereby the agreement AUKUS will
provide Australia with conventionally armed nuclear power capable submarines as early
as possible while upholding the highest non-proliferation standards. Then, technology
with advanced capabilities will be developed and provided by AUKUS to jointly
enhance advanced military capabilities to increase security and stability in the Indo-
Pacific Region. Underneath, there are two joint steering groups to oversee two parallel
lines of effort, namely submarines and advanced capabilities. Under these two joint
steering groups, 17 task-specific working groups have been established, as illustrated in
Figure 1.

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Over several weeks in February, a joint team from Australia, the United Kingdom,
and the United States visited several sites in Australia to assess their nuclear stewardship,
infrastructure, workforce, and industrial capabilities and requirements. On February 28,
the team was chaired by the Joint Steering Group, which the Joint Steering Group will
use the information to develop the optimal pathway for Australia to acquire nuclear-
powered submarines.
Through the AUKUS Undersea Robotics Autonomous Systems (AURAS)
project, the three nations are collaborating on autonomous underwater vehicles, which
will be a significant force multiplier for their maritime forces. Initial trials and
experimentation of the capabilities of this technology are planned for 2023 with the
AUKUS Quantum Arrangement (AQuA), which will accelerate investment and provide
quantum capabilities for the next generation. It focuses on quantum technology for
positioning, navigation, and timing. The three countries committed to integrating
emerging quantum technologies in trials and experiments over the next three years.
Trilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence) and
autonomous technology is also envisaged in AUKUS. This will provide a vital enabler
to support the future capabilities of the three countries' armies by increasing the speed
and accuracy of decision-making processes to maintain capability advantage and survive
possible threats. This work will focus on accelerating technology adoption and
improving defense, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence capabilities.

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All three countries are committed to working together to share an understanding

of tools, techniques, and technologies to enable their forces to operate in a contested and
degraded environment. This work aims to accelerate their respective defense innovations
and learn faster to integrate commercial technologies to solve the needs of war.
Ultimately the three countries will expand and expedite sharing of sensitive information,
including as a priority enabling workflows that support their work in agreed advanced
capability areas.
In the United States, National Security Council AUKUS Coordinator James N.
Miller directs interagency efforts from the White House. At the Department of Defence,
Abraham Denmark serves as Senior Advisor to AUKUS and is tasked with leading the
submarine effort alongside Rear Admiral Dave Goggins.The United Kingdom Ministry
of Defense was responsible for finalizing the AUKUS technology in the united kingdom,
although no further information was publicly available. In Australia, AUKUS is the
responsibility of the entire Government. All federal departments have specific duties for
18 months.
A multi-agency Nuclear Powered Submarine Task Force headed by Rear Admiral
Jonathan Mead was established, responsible for consolidating information on pathways
to nuclear-powered submarines and ensuring efficiency to nuclear stewardship
requirements. The Department of Defense is tasked with prioritizing the delivery of
submarine-capable technology, and The Department of Foreign Affairs and Commerce
is tasked with managing regional messaging and compliance with non-proliferation
laws. The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet are tasked with supporting the
prime minister, establishing a social license, and leveraging the weight of current
government duties needed.
The three countries have taken significant steps to comply with cross-border legal
and personnel regulations in implementing the AUKUS project. It is undoubtedly an
important milestone in preparing for the nuclear-powered submarine program with the
existence of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information Exchange Agreement in
February 2022. The record speed of completion of this agreement between the three
countries, which is only three months from signing to entry into force, reflects the high
priority given by the three governments to implement and complete the AUKUS
program.
In addition, Australia and the United Kingdom have established a submarine
training program in September 2022, where Australian naval officers will train aboard
the HMS Anson and four other Astute class nuclear-powered submarines for the first
time. Likewise, the new bipartisan Australia-United States Submarine Officer Channel

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Act was also introduced into the United States Congress. These initiatives demonstrate
that similar training and labour mobility programs can be created to share critical
expertise with Australia in the Indo-Pacific Region.
The United Kingdom and the United States have already welcomed Australian
Navy personnel on nuclear training courses in the Indo-Pacific Region. More will follow
next year before Australian submarines are ready for sea. This training and exchange
marked the beginning of a multigenerational naval partnership between the three
AUKUS countries in the Region.
2023 will be crucial as the three countries move from the consultation phase to
implementing the AUKUS partnership. The Nuclear Powered Submarine Task Force
will present its recommendations to the Government in March 2023. This will determine
whether Australia will use Britain's Astute-class nuclear submarines, America's
Virginia-class nuclear submarines, or some of the newer versions of those three nations.
The outcome of the initial consultation period will clarify details of in-house builds, the
Australian Government's proposed interim capabilities, and further initiatives to meet
AUKUS human resources demands. The Australian Government Defense Strategic
Review, released in early 2023, will articulate how AUKUS fits into a posture readiness.
The three governments will also work on clarifying their responsibilities regarding
the organization and allocation of funds for implementing AUKUS advanced
technology. Some of AUKUS' advanced capabilities, such as cyber security and
innovation in various parts of the defense and the bureaucracy, will reach a broader scope
of national security. This is done to avoid bureaucratic territorial wars often
accompanying big policy initiatives that will become a priority. In addition, the
Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Area, tasked with informing operations to
increase the skills supply and defense industrial base to support AUKUS, is expected to
receive parliamentary approval in 2023.
The three countries have cooperated in the defense industry to facilitate the above
efforts. Australia's defense industrial base has historically relied on the United States to
increase its technological capacity and be a key supporter, of course, and AUKUS would
be similar different. Minister for Defense Industry Pat Conroy pledged to engage
Australian industrial partners on AUKUS by early 2023. At the heart of this is the
upgrade of the United States National Industrial and Technology Base, designed to foster
a free trade area of defense technology among some of the United States' alliance
partners and leveraging the Australia-United States Defense Trade Cooperation
Agreement.

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This will foster close coordination between Australia and the United States
Congress and United States agencies, such as the United States Department of Energy's
National Nuclear Security Administration on submarines and the Department of
Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security on Export Regulation Administration for
areas such as quantum technology.

Figure 1.1 Concept Application

Looking at the history of the Korean War, World War, and Vietnam War, the
security architecture of the Indo-Pacific Region is based on a system of trilateral security
alliances led by the United States known as the hub and spokes system. Hub and Spokes
is a United States foreign policy concept in the Indo-Pacific Region that aims to
strengthen cooperation with countries in the Region. This concept relies on trilateral or
multilateral relationships between the United States and countries in the Indo-Pacific
Region, referred to as spokes.
Each spoke then forms a hub with the United States as its center. In the context of
AUKUS, Australia acts as the spokes and America as the hub. In the security context,
the American Hub and Spokes aims to strengthen partnerships among Indo-Pacific
countries to deal with increasingly complex security threats, such as maritime and cyber
security.
The United States maintains this alliance with Australia, the Philippines, Thailand,
Japan, and South Korea. So far, the US military presence in the Indo-Pacific Region has
been blatantly concentrated on China. A similar multilateral collective defense system
for NATO in Europe has not yet existed in the Indo-Pacific Region. On the other hand,

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in 2014, the Government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) developed its idea to
reorganize the regional security system. China has also started implementing several of
its policies in the Indo-Pacific Region, such as increasing the militarization of the South
China Sea and comprehensive rearming of the People's Liberation Army (PLA),
expanding bilateral security partnerships, and establishing security forums and
multilateral dialogue formats.
The free and open Indo-Pacific concept has gradually supplanted the long-
dominant Asia-Pacific construct, which is seen as a strategy to counter the Chinese-
dominated reorganization of the Region. The term "Indo-Pacific region" is the most
recent addition to the vocabulary of Asian regionalism. It has emerged and changed over
time. It expresses the belief that maritime interconnectedness has necessitated the
westward expansion of Asian regionalism to include countries on the shores of the Indian
Ocean.
This security region is very different from the Asia-Pacific concept, where
economic integration and security cooperation drive regionalism. As a result, the Indo-
Pacific Strategy marks a more contentious period in Asian international politics, when
regional cooperation goals are shifting from economic concerns to US and Chinese
security concerns. The ever-changing geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific has put
the regional security architecture more in the spotlight and security dilemmas.
Apart from the United States, other actors have developed their Indo-Pacific
strategy in recent years, like AUKUS, a trilateral security alliance between the United
States, Britain, and Australia recently; many countries in the Indo-Pacific Region have
paid attention to this. In this case, China regards the Indo-Pacific concept as a deterrent
strategy directed against its government under the influence of the United States, so the
country firmly rejects it.
Before the AUKUS Defense Pact existed, the Indo-Pacific Region had
experienced several significant security tensions. The security conditions for the Indo-
Pacific Region can be considered anarchy because no international force officially
regulates and resolves disputes or ensures peace and stability in the Region. As a result
of this concept of anarchy, there are many conflicts and tensions in the Indo-Pacific
Region, which can worsen the security situation. This Region has several major security
issues, such as the South China Sea conflict, tensions between India and Pakistan, threats
of terrorism, and competition between major powers such as China and the United States.
This has affected stability and peace in the Region.
One of the most significant issues faced in the Indo-Pacific Region is the conflict
in the South China Sea. China has claimed almost the entire area and has made effective

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military deployments. This has sparked tensions and conflicts with neighbouring
countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia, which also claim the South
China Sea. However, with the existence of the AUKUS Defense Pact, security in the
Indo-Pacific Region is expected to be more stable. This alliance provides strong support
in terms of military and security for Australia while strengthening the relationship
between the United States and the United Kingdom with countries in the Indo-Pacific
Region. This Pact is also expected to help reduce the pressure faced by other countries
in the Region.
However, the AUKUS Defense Pact triggered an adverse reaction from other
countries in the Region, especially China. China sees this Pact as an attempt to contain
its effect in the Region and threaten its national security. The effect of this situation is
the increasing tension between China and neighbouring countries in the Indo-Pacific
Region.
The AUKUS agreement addresses the three countries' concerns about regional
security or regional security and the Indo-Pacific power balance. As the leaders of
Australia, Britain, and the United States who signed the agreement, the three countries
acknowledged that regional security or regional security is significantly the primary
concern of the three countries in the context of security in the Indo-Pacific Region. In
the joint statement issued on September 15, 2021, the three heads of state promised to
defend common interests in the Indo-Pacific Region.
This reflects the United States strong commitment to the security of the Indo-
Pacific Region in the AUKUS mandate. In operational terms, AUKUS seeks to achieve
strategic deterrence goals in the Indo-Pacific Region by mobilizing nuclear-powered
submarines. This type of Submarine has a technological advantage that is far better than
conventional submarines in general, which has nuclear in its technology and submersible
capacity, as well as speed, which has the potential to change regional strategies
asymmetrically. Overall, the Indo-Pacific Region faced several significant security
challenges before and after the AUKUS Defense Pact. AUKUS has made efforts in this
Region to strengthen stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific Region, but this has resulted
in different responses and effects from countries in the Region.
Anarchy situations can be described by the south china sea disputes and terrorism
that occurred in the indo-pacific before the AUKUS. Then the need for selfhelp towards
survival or security as a response to anarchy, namely the south china sea conflict, the
formation of the AUKUS pact, which is committed to maintaining the stability and
security of the indo-pacific region. But in fact, the AUKUS pact creates uncertainty and
fear among regional countries in the indo pacific. this is evidenced by protests from indo-

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pacific countries such as china and also several ASEAN countries and also France, which
claim that there will be an arms race in the indo-pacific region, which is described self-
help through power competition. In response to the formation of the AUKUS, a security
dilemma finally occurred where in this case, china increased its military capabilities,
besides the aukus pact also caused polemics among indo-pacific countries.
The Trilateral Security Alliance cooperation between Australia, Great Britain and
the United States in the form of the AUKUS pact has raised concerns about its impact
on the security situation in the Indo-Pacific Region. This agreement creates a security
dilemma, especially for China, which response by increasing its military capabilities,
thereby increasing the level of insecurity in the Region. by increasing its military
development, China will undoubtedly play a role in escalating tensions in the Indo-
Pacific Region. This could lead to an increasingly volatile arms race and security
environment.
The existence of the AUKUS Defense Pact directly affects security conditions in
the Indo-Pacific Region. However, the decision to form AUKUS received mixed
responses from countries in the Indo-Pacific Region. China, as the country most
disadvantaged by this pact, responded strongly and considered that this pact was a threat
to regional security and stability. In addition, other countries such as Indonesia and
Malaysia have also expressed concern about this Pact.
Several countries, such as Singapore, the Philippines and India, welcomed this
defense cooperation. They see that this cooperation can help increase the defense and
security capacity of the Indo-Pacific Region. In addition, with the existence of the
AUKUS Defense Pact, it is hoped that it can reduce tensions in this Region and
strengthen coordination between countries in the Region so that it can be ascertained that
the AUKUS pact defense cooperation affects the security of the Indo-Pacific Region.
One of the main advantages of the AUKUS nuclear submarine project is that it
provides significant strategic advantages for Indo-Pacific region countries. These
nuclear-powered submarines are designed to operate in deeper water depths, making
them ideal for tracking Chinese submarines and monitoring the country's activities. With
the development and deployment of nuclear-powered submarines, it is hoped that there
will be a significant improvement in the security of Australia, Britain and the United
States in the Indo-Pacific Region. These submarines are faster and have a much better
range than conventional submarines, enabling these nuclear-powered submarines to
perform a variety of missions, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and deterrence.
Although this Pact can improve the security of AUKUS member countries, it can
also pose a security dilemma for China, which causes increased tension and instability

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in the Indo-Pacific Region. Security dilemma refers to a situation in which efforts by one
country to enhance its security may undermine the security of another, leading to a cycle
of insecurity and instability. In the context of the AUKUS defense pact, China considers
the presence of the AUKUS Defense Pact in the Indo-Pacific Region as a threat to its
security and sovereignty. This could lead China to take steps to improve its security,
such as increasing its military capabilities.
In 2022, just a year after the announcement of AUKUS cooperation, the Chinese
Government officially announced an increase in the country's defense spending by 7.1%
of 1.45 trillion yuan. the actions taken by the Chinese government in increasing the
defense budget are a response to support the modernization of the military. Apart from
that, the increase in the defense budget is also supported by several other military
modernization programs such as the procurement program, military reform, to the new
doctrine change program related to the war strategy of the People's Liberation Army
(PLA). The rapid modernization of China's armed forces causes China to have more
significant influence than countries in the Indo-Pacific Region. This is evidenced by the
rapid development of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Rocket Force's military
capabilities in implementing military exercises conducted by China after the
announcement of AUKUS.
China has also advanced its long-term modernization plan by improving and
developing its country's military technology, namely: A new generation of
intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), the DF-26 missile, etc. China's military
modernization is also strengthened by aggressive military activities with its closest ally,
Russia. This can be seen from the joint training activities of 10 warship fleets consisting
of 5 warships belonging to China and the rest to Russia in the western Indo-Pacific
Region.
China's rapid military modernization and aggressive military activities undertaken
by China and Russia right after the announcement of the AUKUS cooperation was a
form of China's security dilemma regarding developing the AUKUS defense pact in the
Indo-Pacific Region. China sees this military modernization as an effort to maintain
national security, which could trigger tensions and increase competition in the Indo-
Pacific Region.
As seen from some of the discussions above, the AUKUS nuclear submarine
project has pros and cons for several countries Indo-Pacific region. While it could
improve the security of countries in the region and encourage greater cooperation
between three members their allies, it could also escalate tensions and lead to a nuclear
arms race. Although the project has generated some tension with China, it has the support

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DOI: 10.21111/mediasi.v6i2.11105

of several countries in the region, including Singapore and the Philippines. Singapore
has supported the AUKUS project to strengthen its security partnership with the United
States and its allies.
Singapore has close relations with the three AUKUS member. Therefore,
Singapore's interest in the AUKUS project is to ensure that the project will maintain the
existing bilateral relations with the three countries. In addition, Singapore is interested
in maintaining power stability in the Indo-Pacific region so that no single country
controls the region. Therefore, Singapore can take advantage of the AUKUS project,
which aims to improve security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Philippines, an island nation in Southeast Asia, also supported the AUKUS
project. The country has a long-standing alliance with the United States. It relies on
United States military support to fight regional security threats, including terrorism and
territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The Philippines supports the AUKUS
partnership as it is seen as a tool to balance China's power in the Indo-Pacific region,
primarily due to its proximity. It enabled a rapid response to emerging threats in the
region. The Philippine government stated in an official statement that an increase in the
military capabilities of Australia and its key allies is needed to balance power in the
region. The Philippines is engaged in a territorial dispute with China in the South China
Sea., and sees the AUKUS project as a way to strengthen its military capabilities and
deter Chinese aggression in the region.
Two countries that felt the impact of the announcement of the AUKUS partnership
were Indonesia and Malaysia. Both countries have expressed concern over the potential
negative effects of this security agreement on regional stability and security. The
interests of Indonesia and Malaysia in rejecting the AUKUS pact are to secure
sovereignty, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and respect the principles
of peace and equality between countries. Indonesia and Malaysia's rejection of the
AUKUS pact indicates growing concerns over the implications of this new security
agreement. The press conferences held by both countries demonstrate their
determination to protect the sovereignty of ASEAN countries and their commitment to
ensuring regional stability and peace.

IV. CONCLUSION
The AUKUS defense pact significantly affects regional security in the Indo-
Pacific region. On the one hand, cooperation of defence pact is expected to help prevent
potential security threats and conflicts. However, on the other hand, increased military
presence and activity in the region may also be perceived as a threat by some countries,

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leading to increased tensions and possible conflict. The AUKUS defense pact has
sparked concern among countries in the Indo-Pacific region, especially China because
the presence of nuclear submarines could threaten their security. This prompted China
to increase its defense capabilities, such as increasing its military budget and
strengthening its military forces in the Indo-Pacific region.
Although the main objective of the AUKUS defense pact is to protect regional
security and stability, the presence of nuclear submarines and increased defense
capabilities in the region can worsen regional security and stability. This has sparked
concern for other countries in the Indo-Pacific region and can increase pressure on these
countries to increase their defense capabilities, thus triggering a security dilemma.
Overall, the effect of the AUKUS Defense Pact on the Security of the Indo-Pacific
Region shows that the AUKUS Defense Pact triggers a security dilemma in the region.
This worsens regional security and stability and could trigger a similar response from
other countries. Therefore, efforts need to be made to reduce regional tensions and
increase trust between the countries involved. This can be done through dialogue and
closer cooperation between countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

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