Australia PM says there are no plans to expand AUKUS core members

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday there were no plans to expand the AUKUS security pact beyond Britain, Australia and the United States, but added that Japan was a good candidate to cooperate on the second stage of AUKUS.

AUKUS was formed in 2021 by the three countries with the first stage, or “pillar”, designed to deliver nuclear-powered attack submarines to Australia.

The second pillar is focused on sharing military technology and cooperation in quantum computing, artificial intelligence and cyber technology.

(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Chris Reese)