The leaders of the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom have come together to strengthen the Asia-Pacific region with a new ambitious nuclear submarine pact. At a San Diego naval base on Monday, US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced plans to purchase up to five US nuclear-powered submarines. The submarines will be built using US and British technology. The pact is seen as a way to increase Western military presence in the Asia-Pacific region, where China is becoming increasingly influential. “This is a major step forward in our efforts to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Biden said. “We are committed to working together to ensure that our region remains secure and prosperous.” Albanese echoed Biden’s sentiment, saying the pact was a “significant milestone” that would “bolster our collective security and stability.” Sunak also expressed his support for the pact, saying it was “vital for the security and prosperity of our nations and the wider world.” The three leaders also discussed other issues, including climate change, trade, and the coronavirus pandemic. The nuclear submarine pact is seen as a major step forward in strengthening the alliance between the three nations and in the region as a whole. It is expected to be a key factor in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region for years to come.