• Australia's Nuclear-Powered Submarine Future

In spite of periodic tensions, the Australia-Indonesia relationship has historically been characterized by cooperation instead of competition. Jakarta’s concerned response to AUKUS in 2021 however, necessitates a reassessment of the current dimension of bilateral ties. Commentary in countries like Australia and the US covering Indonesia’s reaction to the decision to acquire conventionally-armed, nuclear powered submarines has been based largely on English language sources and perspectives. This article adds to the literature by analysing a range of sources written in Bahasa to get an Indonesian perspective on Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine future. The article contends that for Australia, AUKUS has become a necessity to reduce the capability gap between itself and China. From the Indonesian perspective, there is a disconnect between the official and unofficial views concerning AUKUS, with there being an implicit understanding, within Indonesia’s policymaking circles – expressed through informal channels – of the agreement’s potential benefits in spite of public expressions of concern. For the bilateral relationship, AUKUS ultimately portends both challenges and opportunities – especially in the realm of defensive cooperation.