According to the British "Daily Express" website reported on the 26th, after the United States, Britain and Australia announced the signing of the "AUKUS" security agreement, British officials proposed to send nuclear submarines to protect Canada from the so-called "threat" of Russia and China's growing influence in the Arctic, and refused to invite Canada to join the so-called "AUKUS" alliance.
British nuclear submarines (infographic)
The head of the British armed forces, Nick Carter, confirmed that Britain wants to work with Canada to "help it do what it needs to do as an Arctic nation". Previously, Russia decided to restart its Arctic base and take advantage of melting ice and snow to establish a global transport corridor through the Northern Sea Route. Britain will regularly deploy nuclear-powered submarines capable of patrolling far below the ice with the Canadian military in regular joint exercises.
Earlier this year, Russia sent three nuclear-powered submarines to the same location in the Arctic as a show of strength. Both Canada and New Zealand, members of the Five Eyes Alliance, have been excluded from the historic AUKUS military deal, which would lead Australia to buy eight nuclear-powered submarines designed by the United States and Britain.
New Zealand banned the possession of nuclear submarines in its waters, while Canada does not have any nuclear submarines, the country's nuclear submarine trade in the 1980s was cancelled due to cost, and there is currently no channel in the market to procure nuclear submarines.
Over the past few months, Ottawa has "quietly" proposed to strengthen Canada's Arctic defenses, while Canberra, London and Washington have secretly discussed the details of the AUKUS agreement.
"We will absolutely listen to Canadian expertise," General Carter said in an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation CBC. "I think we certainly have military capabilities in the marine field, and in terms of the science that we're useful to Canada, I think it's obviously good for both countries to work with Canada in that regard."
Under the leadership of former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Canada built a naval refueling port and deployed Arctic and offshore patrol ships to strengthen its presence.
But with the Liberal Party, which currently holds Justin Trudeau, narrowly winning the general election last week, it is unclear whether Canada will accept the offer.
Alessio Patalino, a maritime expert from King's College London, said: "Whether Canada accepts this offer or not, it is important to see that this opportunity was given to Ottawa during the 'AUKUS' negotiations. ”
"NATO must assess how it will address the emerging Sino-Russian collaboration, which is the strongest in the Arctic, for which the UK has the capabilities it can provide."
(Editor: YZS)