Australia's security intelligence concerns include how the intelligence services of China, Russia and even more friendly proxies are trying to find cracks in the security architecture protecting AUKUS secrets. Major AUKUS submarine Top Secrets include the US S9G reactor and UK submarine reactors and the US's huge AN/BYG-1 Combat System (nuclear version) that would go into an Australian Virginia-class SSN.
Security intelligence is a topic the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) is naturally also interested in - in its Counter-Espionage and Protective Security missions.
For example, note the following:
The ASIO Annual Report 2021-22
under sub-heading “Threats to our way of life”
“Espionage
and foreign interference has supplanted terrorism as our principal security
concern.
Multiple
countries are aggressively seeking information about Australia’s strategic
capabilities, economic and policy priorities, world-class research and
development, and defence technologies.
We
anticipate hostile foreign powers and their proxies will be particularly interested
in obtaining information on AUKUS, the Quad and their associated initiatives.”
See mention of AUKUS in the ASIO Director-General’s Annual Threat Assessment 2022
“For
decades, foreign spies have been seeking information about Australia’s
strategic capabilities, economic and policy priorities, world-class research
and development, and defence technologies.
Obviously
the capabilities and decision-making around AUKUS fall squarely into that
category. Foreign intelligence agencies will have already added them to their
collection requirements—just as ASIO is already working to thwart them. That
should surprise no one; it’s one of the reasons I’m flagging a more proactive
approach to our security advice and engagement.”
Also see mentions of AUKUS in the ASIO Director-General’s Annual Threat Assessment 2023 namely:
"As
we progress AUKUS, it’s critical our allies know we can keep our secrets, and
keep their secrets."
and
"Since
the announcement of AUKUS, there’s been a distinct uptick in the online
targeting of people working in Australia’s defence industry."
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