Canada is in discussions to join an expanded AUKUS deal with the US, Britain, and Australia, aimed at countering China’s growing military influence in the Indo-Pacific region, according to Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair. Canada aims to participate in a second pillar of AUKUS focusing on new military technologies, including artificial intelligence and quantum computing, although details of these talks have not yet been disclosed. AUKUS stands for Australia, United Kingdom, United States.
“There have been important discussions about processes and platforms on a project-specific basis on where other nations, including Japan and ourselves, might participate,” Blair stated in an interview in Tokyo, where he met his Japanese counterpart Minoru Kihara. “I would respectfully wait until they’ve come to their determination, but I’m very optimistic,” he added.
Blair mentioned that he and Kihara discussed AUKUS, which is already considering collaboration with Japan. The initial phase of AUKUS involves the three founding members working on nuclear submarine technology for Australia. Blair’s visit to Japan, his first trip there as defence minister, followed his visit to South Korea, which is also in talks about a role in AUKUS.
Canada seeks a larger security role in Asia and prioritizes strengthening ties with Japan and South Korea. As its defense commitments grow both domestically and internationally, Canada is increasing its military spending. “Next year, my defense budget will rise by 27% over this year, and, frankly, in the next three or four years, our defense spending will triple,” Blair said.
Blair and Kihara also discussed Chinese incursions into Japanese territory, which prompted Tokyo to lodge protests with Beijing last month. Concerns about Chinese military activity may be addressed at the upcoming Group of Seven defence ministers meeting in Italy, Blair indicated. “It’s an important opportunity for us to have a conversation among the G7 partners about some of the activities that are deeply concerning to Japan and to Canada and to the United States and others,” he concluded.
