Nuclear Submarines Research Articles

The promise of AUKUS: implications of its minilateral institutional form

ABSTRACT Much ink has been spilt over AUKUS, the new trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States in the Indo-Pacific, since its announcement in September 2021. In this article, we propose to examine AUKUS through the broader lens of its institutional form: a minilateral grouping. Using its institutional form as a basis for analysis allows us to move beyond particularistic analysis that is narrowly focused on specific aspects of the agreement such as the nuclear-powered submarines. We identify key benefits – efficiency and flexibility – and costs – political fragility and exclusion – of the minilateral institutional form generally, and then apply those benefits and costs to the case of AUKUS to examine to what extent the grouping may be able to contribute to the security interests of its three partners, as well as further peace and stability within the Indo-Pacific region. We find evidence for all four of these costs and benefits in the case of AUKUS. Of particular note is our finding that the risk of exclusiveness can generate resentment among allies and partners as well as adversaries, exemplified by the case of France.

Breach of pacta sunt servanda: A corpus-assisted analysis of newspaper discourse on the AUKUS agreement

The AUKUS agreement,11The abbreviation AUKUS stands for ‘Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States’. a strategic pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, primarily aimed to facilitate Australia's acquisition of eight nuclear-powered submarines from the US and Britain. This agreement led to the abrupt termination of a previous contract with France's state-owned Naval Group. This article examines the language used in media coverage of the AUKUS agreement in newspapers from various Anglophone and Asian countries. Employing a combination of Sentiment Analysis (Crossley et al., 2017) and Corpus-Assisted Discourse Studies (Partington, 2013; Gillings et al., 2023), we focus on identifying key linguistic patterns, themes, and the sentiment embedded in the discourse. Our findings indicate a general positive assessment of AUKUS in the Anglophone media, contrasted with negative portrayals in Chinese publications. Moreover, the analysis of linguistic components such as adjectives, nouns, and verbs reveals underlying complexities and conflicting viewpoints within the Anglophone discourse itself. By applying Corpus-Assisted Discourse Studies, we uncover the contextual and linguistic factors that shape these diverse perspectives.

AUKUS as ontological security – Australian foreign policy in an age of uncertainty

ABSTRACT On 15 September 2021, Australia signed onto a new security agreement with the US and UK known as AUKUS. Under AUKUS, Australia will acquire nuclear capabilities in the form of nuclear-powered submarines. Despite being the most significant security agreement since ANZUS with an estimated cost of over $368 billion it has been highly controversial. Concerns have been raised around its viability, practicality, the associated risks given the revival of isolationist foreign policy ideas in the US, and the financial costs and fit with existing domestic capabilities. What explains Australia’s decision to join AUKUS given the presence of such substantial risks and unknowns? I work to show that traditional security frameworks struggle to account for the significant risks associated with the decision. Instead, using an ontological security approach, I argue that Australia’s decision to enter AUKUS represents an effort to maintain ‘Self’ identity narratives through the stabilisation of relations with ‘great and powerful friends’ that had come into question under the Trump presidency.

Peluang dan Tantangan Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Pasca Terbentuknya Kerja Sama Pertahanan Trilateral AUKUS

Indonesia and Australia are neighboring countries with fluctuate bilateral relations. In 2018, they formed Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (IA-CSP) to enhance their partnerships in strategic sectors for the stability of regional security in the Indo-Pacific. However, the problem came up in 2021 when Australia established trilateral defense cooperation AUKUS with the United Kingdom and the United States. This cooperation facilitates Australia to have nuclear-powered submarines to strengthen its military power. This cooperation has raised the eyebrows of Indonesia as it is against IA-CSP’s pillars, particularly pillar on securing the two countries and the region’s shared interest, and pillar on contributing to Indo-Pacific stability and prosperity. Therefore, Indonesia regretted Australia’s participation in AUKUS because the former deemed the latter to have violated its commitment on IA-CSP. This research aims to analyze IA-CSP’s opportunities and challenges post-establishment of AUKUS. It used a qualitative method, with interviews and literature review in place to collect data. The authors used regional security complex theory and strategic partnership concept for analysis. This research found that AUKUS does not disrupt the implementation of IA-CSP because the cooperation instead provides opportunities that Indonesia can utilize for its national interest. However, AUKUS poses challenges that Indonesia needs to tackle.

The Role of AUKUS in Australia’s Military Capacity Building Strategy

This paper explores the role of AUKUS in enhancing Australia's military capacity amid evolving Indo-Pacific geopolitics. The AUKUS partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US aims to increase Australia's defense capabilities, focusing on nuclear-powered submarines, cyber security, AI, and underwater warfare. The analysis shows how AUKUS addresses Australia's military challenges by offering advanced technology and strategic support. The SSN-AUKUS submarines symbolize a major advancement in Australia's naval capabilities. The partnership also promises economic and social benefits, including job creation and infrastructure development. However, the study also notes potential drawbacks, such as increased regional tensions and the risk of an arms race, highlighting the need for balanced diplomatic effort.

Analysis of the Security Impact of AUKUS on the South China Sea: Based on Defensive Realism Analysis

The formation of the AUKUS alliance (comprising Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States) represents a pivotal development in the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific region. Formed with the objective of countering Chinas growing influence through the sharing of advanced technology, including nuclear-powered submarines, the alliance signals a significant shift in the regional geopolitical landscape. This paper employs a defensive realist lens to analyse AUKUS, examining its strategic motivations and regional security implications, particularly in the South China Sea. The research investigates how, despite its ostensible defensive intent, AUKUS is perceived by China as a provocation, thereby intensifying the security dilemma. Furthermore, the study assesses the United Kingdoms perspective on AUKUS as a vital instrument for sustaining its global influence in the post-Brexit era. This paper identifies a plethora of technical, logistical, financial, and diplomatic challenges confronting the alliance.

Radiation survey of the territory of Teriberka village and Kildin Island of Murmansk Region

The Arctic zone is a strategically important territory of the Russian Federation from the point of view of socio-economic, scientific, and technological components, as well as in terms of planning the development of a system for ensuring national defense, state, and public security. Intensive exploration and development of Arctic territories, combined with a rapidly changing environment due to global climate change, carries a few risks for the environment. This determines the need to assess potential environmental damage and determine the significance of factors of potential negative impact on unique Arctic ecosystems now and in the future. The article presents current data from a radiation survey of the coastal zone of residential areas close to the site of the sinking of the nuclear submarine ‘K-159’ – Teriberka village and Kildin Island, Murmansk region, as well as the sea area to assess the primary levels of man-made and natural radionuclides before starting work on the potential lifting of the submerged object. This work was carried out as part of the implementation of the State Program of the Russian Federation ‘Health Development’ (approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated December 26, 2017, No. 1640). The results of measuring the ambient dose equivalent rate of gamma radiation in open areas and determining the content of man-made and natural radionuclides in samples of environmental media (soil, aquatic vegetation, marine aquatic organisms) and food products of local origin and production (mushrooms, berries, fish, milk). The research results showed that the state of the study area is generally stable in terms of the radiation factor, the content of radionuclides is at the background level. As part of this work, electronic database modules have been developed based on the results of radiation monitoring in Teriberka village and on Kildin Island. Certificate No. 2022621890 was received on registration of a database with the results of the radiation situation of the above-mentioned territories.

The AUKUS agreement: a new form of the plurilateral defence alliance? A view from downunder

ABSTRACT In 2021, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced a multi-decade programme – dubbed AUKUS – for tripartite collaboration in the development of nuclear-powered submarines and other advanced military capabilities. This article explores the extent to which AUKUS signals a departure from a spectrum of US-centred international security arrangements ranging from a plurilateral model, as exemplified by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), to the bilateral (hub-and-spoke) model more common in the Indo-Pacific. The paper argues that AUKUS complements US-centred protective arrangements along NATO and hub-and-spoke lines. In leveraging US technological leadership and military investments to enhance partner-specific military capabilities, and AUKUS breaks new ground, being less about deterrence of, and military responses to, an attack aggression on one or more of its members, and more about enhancing interoperability, combined operational s/synergy, and reciprocity in new capability formation by the parties. The work concludes that the AUKUS arrangements stand to provide less scope for free-riding by the parties, while giving them greater incentive to invest in interoperable military capabilities, thereby creating more contingent (real) deployment options for the future, US-led combined military operations, to be exercised by the parties in response to emergent military contingencies.

Oleg Konstantinovich Bumay (in memory of a teacher, colleague, comrade)

January 1, 2024 marked the 70th anniversary of the birth of the former head of the organization and tactics of the medical service of the fleet (with a course of tactics and combat weapons of the fleet) department of the S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy, effective director for modern topics of the Federal State Budgetary Institution Research Institute of Industrial and Marine Medicine FMBA of Russia, candidate of medical sciences, associate professor Oleg Konstantinovich Bumay (1954–2022). O.K. Bumay was born in the village of Bogudenka, Belarus. He was alumnus the faculty of training doctors for the Navy of the S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy. After graduating from the academy in 1977, for a decade he provided and organized medical support for nuclear submarines as the head of the ship’s medical service, the cheef of medical a submarine forces in the Northern Fleet, and subsequently served as a senior medical officer in the Baltic Fleet. Over the course of two decades, O.K. Bumay was associated with the organization and tactics of the naval medical service (with a course of tactics and combat weapons of the fleet) department of S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy. In 1991, he entered the adjunct program at the department; upon completion of his studies, he was appointed as a teacher, subsequently as a senior teacher, and since 2009 — deputy head of the department. He received the rank of Philosophy doctor of Medical Sciences (1994), associate professor (1998). After leaving the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in 2007, he continued his career as deputy director for special topics at the Federal State Budgetary Institution Research Institute of Industrial and Marine Medicine of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia. O.K. Bumay developed origins medical support system for the domestic nuclear submarine fleet. Was appointed on the post the head of the ship’s medical service and after that officer of the command-and-control body of an operational-tactical formation. Throughout their career he left a multifaceted scientific and practical legacy, which is used by new generations of naval doctors.

Regional Security Complex Analysis in Australia, United Kingdom, and United States (AUKUS) Viewpoint to the Rivalry between United States and China in Taiwan

AUKUS is a trilateral defense pact between Australia, United Kingdom, and United States formed in September 2021. Derived from the countries’ initials, AUKUS serves a security partnership to strengthen integrated deterrence. The pact focuses on enhancing nuclear-powered submarines and developing trilateral cooperation on emerging technology. This study’s discussion focuses on regional security complex analysis in AUKUS viewpoint to the rivalry between United States and China in Taiwan. The method used descriptive research with qualitative approach analysis. Tension between these two countries is seen as a manifestation of their respective national interests. The resolution of the regional security complex here can be observed through the strategies prepared to deter China and how AUKUS could achieve advantages regarding Taiwan's status

Nuclear-Powered Submarines and the Global Nuclear Order

The nuclear propulsion of submarines has never been raised as a source of controversy since the countries operating nuclear-powered submarines are only the five Nuclear-Weapon States recognized in the NPT, plus India, which is not a signatory to the NPT. However, with the advancement of the Brazilian nuclear-powered submarine program and the announcement that Australia will operate and develop nuclear-powered submarines, this issue has become a hot spot on the non-proliferation agenda. In this context, two questions arise: What are the perceptions of the main actors involved with the issue of nuclear energy use for the propulsion of submarines of Non-nuclear Weapon States? What are the impacts of these perceptions on the global nuclear order? This article argues that a new normative inequality would be in the formation process, in which there would be the “have” and “have-not” users of nuclear energy for the propulsion of submarines.

Level, distribution and sources of Np, Pu and Am isotopes in Peter the Great Bay of Japan sea

Transuranium elements such as Np, Pu and Am, are considered to be the most important radioactive elements in view of their biological toxicity and environmental impact. Concentrations of 237Np, Pu isotopes and 241Am in two sediment cores collected from Peter the Great Bay of Japan Sea were determined using radiochemical separation combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) measurement. The 239,240Pu and 241Am concentrations in all sediment samples range from 0.01 Bq/kg to 2.02 Bq/kg and from 0.01 Bq/kg to 1.11 Bq/kg, respectively, which are comparable to reported values in the investigated area. The average atomic ratios of 240Pu/239Pu (0.20 ± 0.02 and 0.21 ± 0.01) and 241Am/239+240Pu activity ratios (3.32 ± 2.76 and 0.45 ± 0.17) in the two sediment cores indicated that the sources of Pu and Am in this area are global fallout and the Pacific Proving Grounds through the movement of prevailing ocean currents, and no measurable release of Np, Pu and Am from the local K-431 nuclear submarine incident was observed. The extremely low 237Np/239Pu atomic ratios ((2.0–2.5) × 10−4) in this area are mainly attributed to the discrepancy of their different chemical behaviors in the ocean due to the relatively higher solubility of 237Np compared to particle active plutonium isotopes. It was estimated using two end members model that 23% ± 6% of transuranium radionuclides originated from the Pacific Proving Grounds tests, and the rest (ca. 77%) from global fallout.

Research of Stirling engines applications in vehicle, electricity, heating and cooling

Natural resources are becoming more and more scarce while pollution continues to increase. It is imperative to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency. As an efficient, low-emission machine, the Stirling engine may be an answer on the road to emission reduction and improved efficiency. Stirling engine has been used in some areas, such as nuclear-powered submarine engines, combined heat and power and Stirling cryocoolers. However, there are still several problems that cannot be ignored in Sterling generators themselves. Stirling generators, characterized by high efficiency and potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, face challenges, including high material and assembly costs, complex waste heat treatment processes, and the need for durable, high-temperature resistant materials. Despite current limitations, ongoing research aims to enhance conversion efficiency, minimize size, and lower manufacturing costs, with promising applications in various sectors, including transportation and household energy, representing a significant stride towards green energy power generation in the future.

“Разворот в Азию”: АУКУС в восприятии политикума США

The article is devoted to forecasting the ways of further evolution of the Western partnership called AUKUS, taking into account the geopolitical plans of J. Biden administration, and based on an analysis of the approaches of the most influential groups among the American political elite to the project. In the context of the American strategy “Pivot to Asia”, differences in views of these groups on the content of AUKUS and its prospects are shown. Special attention is paid to the study of the American experts’ and politicians’ ideas about the potential of using nuclear submarines in the Indo-Pacific region by Australia with regard to “containing” China, as well as technological cooperation between the partnership member countries in order to expand a common industrial base. While the Conservative Republicans believe that it is necessary to focus only on creating a fleet of submarines for Australia (the “first pillar”), Conservative Democrats and Moderate Republicans demand to concentrate exclusively on technological cooperation not merely of the three AUKUS countries (the “second pillar”), but also attracting other players to it – Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Canada. Only the Centrist Democrats, who are the most loyal supporters of the administration, are confident that the alliance countries will be able to “pull through” the implementation of both “pillars” of the project. The authors underscore that the coalition of the “second pillar” looks preferable today. It is concluded that the radical divergence of the elite groups’ views makes the future fate of the AUKUS quite uncertain, and the partnership can acquire different configurations depending on the balance of forces within the U.S. political establishment.

The Atomic Archipelago: US Nuclear Submarines and Technopolitics of Risk in Cold War Italy by Davide Orsini (review)

The Atomic Archipelago: US Nuclear Submarines and Technopolitics of Risk in Cold War Italy by Davide Orsini (review)

Принципы американского подхода к КНР: идеология и борьба за влияние

The article analyzes the principles that determine the US policy towards the PRC in terms of ideological confrontation and struggle for the influence in the Indo-Pacific region. It is noted that such features of the Chinese political system as rule by law, autocracy and state-directed mercantilism are seen as its vulnerabilities. The U. S. competitive approach to the PRC is focused on exacerbating and exploiting them. China’s economic slowdown is expected to make the CCP uncertain of its own legitimacy and force the party to rely on authoritarian practices of social control to maintain political power. This, in its turn, will provoke social discontent and decrease support for the party among the population. Restrictions on Chinese technology companies and tightening of the counterintelligence regime against Chinese undergraduate and graduate students studying at U.S. universities are intended to impede China’s access to advanced technologies and developments. Beijing’s actions, interpreted as authoritarian practices, are used by Washington to rally allies and partners on the ideological basis and to justify sanctions. These actions include the re-education policy in Xinjiang, the Hong Kong policy, export of Chinese technological systems and internal control practices to the Indo-Pacific countries, and others. It is indicated that this approach was countered by the Washington’s right to free access to information and policy to protect Internet freedom. In the real world, it aims to undermine state control over information in countries that import Chinese practices of social control. The key role in implementing this approach is assigned to systems that will circumvent Internet traffic restrictions both in the Indo-Pacific states and in China itself. The U. S. approach to defense and security in the Indo-Pacific region focuses on the transition from a hub-and-spoke system to federated defense. It is recognized that while the federated approach initially focused on the U.S. allies, Washington is now integrating its regional partners as well. There are two stages in the implementation of this U.S. defense strategy. During the first stage, Washington creates separate elements of the future military alliance which still function as independent units. Such elements are represented by minilateral coalitions that are formed of states that have comparable or complementary capabilities in spheres that are key to China’s deterrence. These include AUKUS focused on building nuclear submarines, the upcoming trilateral alliance of Japan, South Korea, and the United States in missile defense, QUAD, and others. During the second stage, it is probably intended to unite the established coalitions under a single defense structure. It is pointed out that Washington’s choice in favor of this two-stage scheme is due to the need to refrain at the current stage from actions that would provoke the states of the region to choose a side between the United States and China, which would be inevitable in the case of creation of a full-fledged U.S. military alliance in the Indo-Pacific. It is noticed that the Biden administration effectively counters Beijing in international organizations. It has largely succeeded in frustrating China’s strategy to dominate them and in transforming them from within.

Application of safeguards to nuclear submarine fuel to ensure security and proliferation resistance

Application of safeguards to nuclear submarine fuel to ensure security and proliferation resistance

From Human Labor to Electric Vehicles: The Evolution of Engines

Engines have come a long way since humans first used their own labour and muscle power to perform mechanical work. This research paper traces the remarkable journey of engine evolution, highlighting key milestones in the transition from human and animal labour to waterwheels, windmills, internal combustion engines, and ultimately, electric vehicles (EVs). The paper examines the drawbacks of each engine type, from the limitations of human and animal power to the geographical constraints of waterwheels and windmills. It then delves into the invention of the steam engine, a pivotal moment in the Industrial Revolution, which freed machines from the need for proximity to water or wind sources. The paper provides a detailed explanation of how steam engines work, emphasizing their historical significance and continued relevance, particularly in electricity generation and even nuclear submarines. However, it also acknowledges the limitations and safety concerns associated with steam engines. Transitioning to the present, the paper introduces the concept of internal combustion engines, both gasoline and diesel-powered, highlighting their efficiency and the pros and cons of each type. The importance of fuel efficiency is emphasized, as fossil fuels are finite resources. The paper concludes by examining the latest generation of engines – electric motors, particularly in EVs. It discusses the various types of batteries used in EVs, such as Lithium-ion, Nickel-Metal Hydride, and Lead-Acid batteries, highlighting their characteristics and environmental impact. In summary, this research paper provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of engines over time, from the simplest human-powered machinesto the cutting-edge technology of electric vehicles. It underscores the importance of technological advancements in addressing energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in the automotive industry. This research paper will explore the following key questions: ● What are the key milestones in the evolution of engines? ● What are the challenges and opportunities associated with the transition to electric mobility? ● What are the implications of this shift for the future of transportation?

A simulation study of detection technique of HEU based on muon capture with neutron production

The detection technique of high enriched uranium (HEU) based on the muon capture with neutron production is a novel detection technique of nuclear material, and is expected to be used in the detection of HEU in concealed containers, the monitoring of the reactors in nuclear submarines and the warhead verification in nuclear disarmament. Nowadays, this technique is still under primary theoretical and experimental research. In this paper, this technique is studied by means of numerical simulation, aiming at evaluating the detection results of this technique to HEU. First, the muon capture and detection simulation program was developed, and the physical models of this technique were established. The rate of the events of the muon capture of HEU with neutron production was analyzed, and the calculation result agrees well with the literature. Second, the backgrounds of this technique were analyzed, and the intensities and influence of all kinds of backgrounds were quantized. The research results show that, the backgrounds of this technique can be depressed well, and would not inhibit the detection of the events of the muon capture with neutron production. Third, the detection limits of this technique were evaluated. When the measurement time is 103s, for the scintillation detector with a size of 100cm × 100cm × 10 cm, the detection limit of the mass of HEU 50 cm away from the detector is about 1 kg under a confidence level of 95%. Finally, the physical models containing multiple uranium cubes were established, and the muon trace driving imaging algorithm with good anti-noise ability was proposed and verified by means of numerical simulation.

Whatever Happened to the Australian Role in the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership?

In 2003, Iraq was invaded, ostensibly to remove a nuclear threat, by a coalition led by George W. Bush. At the same time select allies were invitited to participate in Bush's Global Nuclear Energy Partnership which aimed to limit the spread of nuclear enrichment and reprocessing. This came as climate change gave emphasis to the development of nuclear energy, especially in Asia. With an abundant supply of uranium and strict nuclear safeguards, Australia was well placed to provide a site for the full suite of nuclear services. The recent AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement has underscored its failure to do so. This article makes the case for the adoption of nuclear power as a necessary step in the development of advanced manufacturing; the provision of a domestic capability to fuel nuclear attack submarines and other naval craft; and as a contribution to global nuclear non‐proliferation.