Adding Aukus partners 'complicated' – diplomat

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Adding partners to the so-called Aukus defense project would be "complicated," a senior Australian diplomat said on Friday, adding that he did not believe the United States Congress is open to expanding the pact involving Australia, the US and the United Kingdom.

Aukus was formed in 2021 to counterbalance China's growing power. The first "pillar" involves cooperation between the three partners to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines, but they have raised the possibility of other countries joining a second pillar to develop other high-tech weaponry.