Biden participates in a virtual news conference with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images) Johnson called it a momentous decision for Australia to acquire the technology, which he said would make the world safer. "This will be one of the most complex and technically demanding projects in the world." The U.S. officials stressed that the move, which comes as Washington and its allies are looking for ways to push back against China's growing power and influence, would not involve provision of nuclear weapons to Australia. They said the submarines would not be deployed with atomic weaponry, but would allow the Australian navy to operate more quietly, for longer periods, and provide deterrence across the Indo-Pacific. The officials said the partnership, which will also involve co-operation in areas including artificial intelligence, quantum technology and cyber, was "not aimed at any one country." "This is a historic announcement. It reflects the Biden administration's determination to build stronger partnerships to sustain peace and stability across the entire Indo-Pacific region," one of the officials said. Australian media reported that the partnership looks likely to end the country's attempts to have French shipbuilder Naval Group build it a new submarine fleet worth $40 billion US to replace Australia's more than two-decades-old Collins submarines.
