Canada’s Strategic Role in AUKUS Pillar 2: Security, Stability, and Deterrence in the Indo-Pacific

AUKUS is a trilateral defence and security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States which aims to “help sustain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region”. AUKUS partners have been clear that its advanced capabilities Pillar could eventually extend beyond the three core nations. As a Pacific nation with 25,000 kilometers of Pacific coastline and more than $225B in annual two-way merchandise trade with the Indo-Pacific region, Canada has keen strategic interests in the stability of the region. Furthermore, as a close defence partner and one that shares core values, Canada has a vested interest in contributing to the continued success of AUKUS.
As AUKUS continues to build out its Pillar 2 facet of advanced capabilities, shared technology, and increased interoperability between armed forces, Canada could play a strategic role in shoring up defenses and advancing key collaborative initiatives between the nations.
Scott Millar, Assistant Deputy Minister, Horizontal Policy at Canada’s Department of National Defence, joins the Stimson Center on Thursday, March 21 at 4 pm ET to explore what Canada can bring to Pillar 2, and to examine the strategic contributions that Canada is prepared to make to strengthen the AUKUS partnership.