Canada is in discussions to join the AUKUS military alliance, initially formed by the US, UK, and Australia, to counter China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair revealed this in Tokyo, where he met Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Kihara. Canada aims to join the second pillar of AUKUS focused on new military technologies like AI and quantum computing.
Canada is in discussions to join the AUKUS military alliance, initially formed by the US, UK, and Australia, to counter China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair revealed this in Tokyo, where he met Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Kihara.
Canada aims to join the second pillar of AUKUS focused on new military technologies like AI and quantum computing.
Blair highlighted ongoing dialogues within AUKUS about participation from other nations, including Japan and South Korea.
Canada is expanding its defence commitments and plans to increase its military budget by 27% next year, with a potential tripling of spending in the coming years.
The talks also covered Chinese military activity, which may be a topic at the upcoming G7 defence ministers' meeting in Italy.