UK's BAE Systems Secures €4.6 Billion AUKUS Nuclear Sub Contract to Counter China

The UK Defense Minister, Grant Schapps, announced a £4 billion contract with BAE Systems to begin work on a new nuclear-powered AUKUS attack submarine as part of the AUKUS security pact between Australia, the UK, and the US. The aim of the project is to counter China's growing military ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. The UK will initially build the submarines, with production shifting to Australia in the 2040s. The announcement has caused tensions with France, as Australia canceled a previous contract for nuclear subs with Paris.