Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, ruled out the Japanese government’s participation in the flagship Oaks project to deliver nuclear submarines to Australia, but said Canberra wanted to “work more closely with Japan” on technology development, adding that Asia’s He recognized that the country was an important country. It is a “place of innovation” and is on the “cutting edge of technology.”
“In terms of future joint cooperation, I think it’s natural for the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan to be talking about a higher level of cooperation,” he said in an interview in the Australian capital. Stated.
Mr Marles said he was keen for Japanese cooperation, but suggested it would not happen soon as Oaks remains “very focused on developing new innovative technologies across the three countries”.
“As Pillar 2 becomes more mature, which will take several years…I think at that point there will be an opportunity to consider how we can work with Japan in relation to that,” he said.
Why New Zealand joining the Oaks would be a setback to the Anglosphere
Why New Zealand joining the Oaks would be a setback to the Anglosphere
When asked whether the Japanese government should also consider acquiring nuclear submarines, the Australian minister said that it was a “Japanese issue” and that he was “not going to express an opinion.”
Mr Marles said Australia had made the decision “considering its strategic needs”, noting that as an island nation far removed from other countries it was “in dire need of capable long-range submarines”.
Mr Marles said of the bilateral defense relationship between Canberra and Tokyo: “Australia and Japan have never been more strategically aligned than they are now.”
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The minister also welcomed the possibility that Japan could use Australia’s vast continent as a testing ground for long-range missiles as it seeks to acquire the ability to strike targets in enemy territory.
Speaking about Australia’s long-distance test range, he said: “Our training range is one of the best in the world and we very much hope to work with Japan on this training range and for Japan to have the opportunity to make use of it.” “I’m here,” he said.
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Mr Marles reiterated both sides’ “strong ambition” to foster relations and said Australia was “enthusiastic to accelerate the tempo” of cooperation.