澳大利亚皇家海军柯林斯级“兰金”号潜艇，该级潜艇未来将被美英澳联合研制的核潜艇取代
The picture shows HMAS Rankin, a Collins class submarine of Royal Australian Navy, which will be replaced by a nuclear submarine jointly developed by the US, UK and Australia.
范彦廷
By Fan Yanting
近期，美英澳三国签署一项协议，宣布组建“澳英美联盟”。分析人士称，“澳英美联盟”最引人关注的是美英两国承诺帮助澳大利亚建造核潜艇，但除此之外，美澳两国部分战术层面的合作也将对亚太地区军事平衡产生重大影响，尤其是空中力量的变化。
The US, UK and Australia recently signed an agreement to form an alliance named AUKUS, whereby the US and UK will help Australia build nuclear submarines. But other than this, which analysts described as the most eye-catching point of the alliance, tactical cooperation between the US and Australia will also exert great impacts on the military balance in the Asian-Pacific region, particularly on the change of air forces.
美机在澳轮流部署
US aircraft take turns flying over Australia
澳大利亚国防部长彼得•达顿表示，“澳英美联盟”的成立将进一步加强美澳两国军队的合作，同时加强双方在亚太地区的活动，其中包括美军将向澳大利亚轮流部署所有型号的军用飞机。美太平洋空军司令部负责人随后确认了达顿的说法。另据“防务一号”网站报道，美英澳三边安全伙伴关系正式生效后，澳大利亚皇家空军的大部分战机将移交美军管理和指挥。待关系理顺后，这些飞机的维护修理、后勤保障等工作也将由美军承担。
According to Australian defense minister Peter Dutton, the formation of AUKUS will strengthen the cooperation between American and Australian militaries, and their coordination activities in the Asia Pacific, such as the rotating deployment of American military aircraft in Australia. Dutton’s words were later corroborated by the head of the US Pacific Air Command. According to a report on the American website Defenseone.com, after the AUKUS partnership officially comes into effect, most warplanes of Royal Australian Air Force will be placed under America’s management and command, along with their maintenance, repair and logistics support after relevant arrangements are made.
强化美军存在
AUKUS intensifies America’s military presence
“防务一号”网站称，澳大利亚允许美军用飞机在其领土上轮流部署，势必强化美空中力量在亚太地区的存在。网站认为，澳大利亚允许美军用飞机进驻，首先将优化美空中力量在亚太地区的分散部署态势，提高其生存能力。澳大利亚为美军用飞机打开国门后，后者可以在亚太地区拥有更多可选择的机场或基地。其二，美军用飞机进驻澳大利亚后，或将提高两国空中力量的协同作战能力。其三，美军用飞机在澳大利亚部署后，可更自由、更方便地从该国起飞或穿越该国领空执行任务。
According to the website, allowing American military aircraft to rotate on Australian territory will intensify America’s aerial presence in the Asia Pacific in three ways. First, it will improve the deployment status of US Air Force and enhance its viability in the region as US aircraft now has access to more airports and bases. Second, the entry of American military aircraft into Australia may improve the coordinated combat capability of the two countries’ air forces. Third, deployment in Australia enables American warplanes to take off or fly across the country to perform missions with greater ease and freedom.
加剧军备竞赛
AUKUS escalates arms race
有分析认为，美英澳三边安全伙伴关系条约已引起东亚、东南亚甚至全世界的警觉。马来西亚前总理马哈蒂尔称：“所有人都在担心澳大利亚成为有核国家，但澳大利亚不为所动，而且在寻求美军用飞机的长期轮流部署，这是在无谓地冒险。”他表示，美澳两国的行为是一种咄咄逼人的举动，很可能刺激区域内其他国家采取更激进的措施，进而加剧该地区的军备竞赛。
Some analysts said the AUKUS trilateral security partnership has raised an alert in East Asia, Southeast Asia and even the world at large. “Everyone is worried that Australia may become a nuclear state, but Canberra doesn’t care and it is seeking the long-term, rotating deployment of American military aircraft on its soil. That is a pointless risk,” said Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir, who is concerned that the aggressive move by the US and Australia may incite other regional countries to take more aggressive measures and consequently escalate an arms race in the region.
马哈蒂尔还表示，有美军用飞机和核潜艇助阵的澳大利亚实际上并不比以前享有更多安全。他向澳大利亚政府喊话称，“你们所采取的政策必须考虑你们的地理位置。只是一味地迎合美国的政策是行不通的，最后只能沦为棋子。”
Mahathir also said even with America’s warplanes and nuclear submarines, Australia doesn’t have more security than before. He said to the Australian government that “you need to consider your geographical position when deciding to adopt a policy. Blindly catering to American policy doesn’t work. You will only end up being played like a chess piece.”
