The defense chiefs of the US, Australia, and the UK met in California on Friday, and the meeting highlighted high-tech collaboration on deep space radar, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing systems to support their armed forces against mounting threats from around the world, especially China.

The AUKUS collaboration and advanced technologies between the three may trigger a robust response from China, potentially leading to a regional arms race. India, strategically positioned, stands to benefit from AUKUS collaboration, gaining access to cutting-edge defense and space technologies.

Moreover, deep alignment in defense and space collaboration could enhance India’s capabilities and strategic positioning. The focus on AI and quantum technologies has the potential to improve the precision of missile systems, challenging traditional deterrence strategies in the region.

Furthermore, advanced technologies contribute to heightened situational awareness, introducing complexities in managing strategic stability, especially in nuclear-powered regions like India and Pakistan.

The emphasis on AI and quantum technologies in missile systems poses challenges for Pakistan’s traditional deterrence strategies, requiring strategic adjustments for regional stability and the interplay of technological and geopolitical factors has complex implications for Pakistan’s security and strategic positioning in the region.

The implications of advanced technologies, including deep space radar, are significant for defense, and India’s collaboration in the space domain with the US and Australia could bolster its capabilities.

Implications for South Asia

The meeting highlights a deepening of strategic ties among the US, UK, and Australia through the AUKUS partnership, aimed at countering China and Russia. The focus on advanced tech like deep space radar, quantum computing, and AI underscores the role of technology as a geopolitical asset, showcasing a commitment to gaining a military advantage and creating a technological divide on the basis of geopolitical interests. The emphasis on the Indo-Pacific region reflects the ongoing geopolitical competition, with the alliance deploying advanced technologies to enhance military capabilities. China will be uncomfortable with this alliance, viewing the alliance’s moves as containment efforts. Furthermore, this discomfort is also heightened by concerns about freedom of navigation voyages and the submarine deal, adding complexity to regional dynamics. As these technologies can play the role of force multiplier; therefore, strengthening alliances in these technological domains can have a spillover effect in other domains as well.