Canada negotiating possible entry into AUKUS alliance

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is exploring the possibility of joining the second phase of AUKUS, a US-led alliance with the United Kingdom and Australia, Report informs referring to The Canadian Press.

The initial pillar of the alliance, forged in 2021, was focused on developing nuclear-powered submarines for Australia.

Trudeau says Canada will consider whether it needs to purchase nuclear-powered submarines to better ensure it can defend Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic.

He made the comments today as the federal government released its long-awaited defense policy review, which is focused on better protecting Canadian sovereignty in the North.

The plan includes billions of dollars in new spending, but lacks a detailed plan to reach NATO's spending target of two percent of GDP.

The plan, which includes new submarines, long-range missiles and early-warning aircraft, will instead boost military spending to 1.76 percent by 2030.