By Han Xudong, professor, Strategic Teaching and Research Department, National Defense University

On April 26, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced that Paris defeated Berlin and Tokyo to win a 50 billion Australian dollars submarine order. 12 new submarines will be manufactured for the Australian Royal Navy by French state-owned shipbuilding companies (DCNS), but it has caused some concerns from the international community.

Purchasing parts and weaponry play a vital role in Canberra's military strategic decisions. Additionally, Canberra has to placate Washington's framework in the Asia-Pacific region.

With the end of the Cold War, Canberra has endorsed an external strategy of "Asia priority, Europe secondary," to capture more benefits in the Asia Pacific region, however Canberra must continue to support Washington.

Canberra remains pivotal to Washington's Asia-Pacific strategic security arena. The US aims to utilize Canberra's role to support its Asia-Pacific strategy. Both countries' military relations have strengthened.

Australia's military can fulfill Washington's wishes. Canberra will strengthen its submarine forces. Canberra can deploy a submarines fleet to gather intelligence for Washington in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in the South China Sea.

The submarine presence acts for the benefit of Washington's strategic framework, performing military actions if necessary.

Canberra did not accept military assistance from Tokyo, because Washington intends to prevent Tokyo from gaining a stronger military influence in the Pacific region.

After New Security Bills went into effect, Tokyo has begun to construct more overseas submarines and warships, boosting military strength, and increasing its exports of military technology. Washington does not tolerate that.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government aims to abandon Washington's reins and take actions more freely. Tokyo has gotten frustrated with Washington's interference in Canberra, which seems reasonable since Canberra had refused a submarines order from Tokyo.

Paris had won the contract from Canberra, which can lead to a shift in the "European balance of power." Despite Berlin's growing influence in Europe, some fear Berlin is getting too strong.

In the eyes of US strategists, maintaining a good European power balance is most conducive for regional security and stability.  Paris had won the huge submarine order, which reduces Berlin's influence.

From the Australian perspective, Canberra seeks to maintain good relations with European countries. During the Cold War, Canberra had departed from Asia to favor Europe. After the Cold War, Australia had reversed its geo-strategic course.

Canberra would not pay less attention to developing relations with European countries, while continuing to enhance ties with Asia-Pacific nations. Canberra intends to combine the advantages of multiple approaches in the international arena.

Han Xudong, professor, Strategic Teaching and Research Department, National Defense University

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