In an increasingly multipolar international system, world security is under more significant pressure than ever since the end of the Cold War. From the attacks on shipping in the Red Sea to the ongoing and bloody conflict in Ukraine, like-minded nations must forge new security alliances to defend their values and promote security.
The Australia-United Kingdom-United States Partnership (AUKUS) is a perfect example of this: a trio of nations that share deep bonds and the values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
Pillar I, the submarine project, has been widely discussed. Pillar II has not benefitted from as much attention but may be even more critical than Pillar I over time.
This second pillar will be the world’s most comprehensive defence technology partnership, including hypersonic and counter-hypersonic missiles, underwater drones and artificial intelligence. Much of the technological advances under Pillar II will support Pillar I.
Like the internet, satellites and GPS, this cooperation amongst the advanced industrialised economies will boost innovation and develop the new technologies likely to drive future forms of planetary prosperity,
These advances will demand expertise and critical minerals, many of which are currently under a clear Chinese monopoly. But they are not only found under Chinese ownership. Canada is also a key source. So, broadening Pillar II to include Canada and reducing reliance on China makes strategic sense and would strengthen the agreement while signalling that Canada, like Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, is back on the international stage.
But even more importantly, Canada’s historic commitment to international peacekeeping, democratic principles, and global security aligns with AUKUS’s core values. It is already part of the Five Eyes intelligence relationship, and its inclusion would strengthen the resilience of our supply chains by limiting dependence on non-allied sources.
The Canadian Armed Forces have played a crucial role in international peacekeeping missions, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining global stability. Inclusion in AUKUS would provide a platform for Canada to contribute its unique skills, enriching the alliance with unique military capabilities.
We cannot overlook Canada’s strategic geographical location as a player in the Arctic Circle, which is fast becoming a new front for NATO. Canada in AUKUS would enhance the partnership’s ability to respond swiftly to challenges in the polar region, promoting a more versatile and adaptable security framework and widening the remit of the agreement to include not just the Indo-Pacific but the North Pacific and North Atlantic.
The technological advantages are clear. Canada’s technology, research, and development expertise, such as semiconductors, would be invaluable. It would bring a pool of talent and knowledge in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence directly relevant to Pillar II.
In an era where collaboration is paramount, expanding AUKUS to include Canada sends a powerful message of unity and shared purpose. By leveraging each nation’s strengths, we create a formidable alliance that can effectively address the complex challenges of the 21st century.
The momentum for Canada’s inclusion is growing. Launched recently, the Legatum Institute’s report From AUKUS to CAUKUS: The Case for Canadian Integration has already been endorsed by four former prime ministers, recognising that Canada’s involvement would bring political, strategic and technical benefits to AUKUS and the Western alliance more generally. Whilst such a proposal would require careful consideration and diplomatic dialogue in an increasingly uncertain world, we must secure democracy and protect individual liberty and free trade under the rule of law, defending and building prosperity for future generations.
Professor Doug Stokes, Exeter University, is a senior adviser at the Legatum Institute.
