Pillar two relates tocollaboration on advanced technologies such as hypersonic weapons,cyber,artificial intelligence and quantum computing,while pillar one refers toco-operation on nuclear-powered submarines.
New Zealand,which has a longstanding opposition to all forms of nuclear power,hasno desire to acquire nuclear-powered submarines or participate in that aspect of the AUKUS partnership.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia and New Zealand had taken “a huge step” forward after a meeting between the two nations’ defence and foreign ministers in Melbourne on Thursday,their first since anew conservative government was elected last year.
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“We have agreed to work much more closely together in terms of building interoperability and interchangeability between our two defence forces,” Marles said.
“In other words,we are committed to constructing two defence forces which are seamless in the way in which we operate.
“We bring much greater effect when we work together than we do when we work on our own.”