A visiting American general insists Australia will not automatically be dragged into any future conflict with China despite growing integration between both militaries under the AUKUS partnership.
More than 400 Australian submariners are eventually expected to serve on board American submarines as this country prepares to operate second-hand nuclear-powered boats from the United States in the next decade.
Addressing the National Press Club in Canberra, the Deputy Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, Lieutenant General Stephen Sklenka, acknowledged the growing prospect of conflict with China over Taiwan but insisted it was not inevitable.
Citing recent aggressive actions by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in the South China Sea, General Sklenka accused the Chinese military of being "equal opportunity bullies" in the region.
"Just since 2021 we've seen roughly 300 risky and coercive PLA intercepts of US and allied partner forces throughout this region.
"These encounters not only contravene rules and norms governing behaviour among militaries, but they also frankly endanger lives, and they create conditions for escalation."
Earlier this month an Australian helicopter was forced to take evasive action near South Korea when a Chinese fighter jet fired flares towards its flight path.
The director of naval submarine forces for AUKUS in the United States has recently predicted the US Navy would have 440 Australians serving on board 25 American submarines under the first stage of AUKUS.
"This is something that has never happened before," retired US Navy officer Dan Packer told the Defense News publication in May.
"We are completely, 100 per cent integrating them into our crew, from a complete and utter perspective – they will do everything that we do."
Asked about the comments, General Sklenka told the press club he did not necessarily accept that meant Australia would be automatically drawn into any conflict with China over Taiwan.
"I think the Australian government, the policymakers in your government will determine whether or not those Australians will participate or not.
"That's not on the United States to do that – when they're on their submarines, we haven't kidnapped them!"
Critics of the AUKUS plan for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines argue the United States attack submarine fleet will also become dependent on having Australians help to crew the boats.
"This is a core threat to Australia's sovereignty, hundreds of Australian sailors and officers can be committed to the next US war without any credible way for our own government to stop it," Greens senator David Shoebridge warns.
"Does the Albanese government seriously say we can rapidly pull over 400 Australian personnel off US attack class nuclear subs before they are sent into a conflict? The very idea is fanciful.
"This is another demonstration of how AUKUS undermines Australia's ability to have an independent foreign policy and military.
"The whole program needs a fundamental rethink and re-assessment against Australia's national interests. With the possibility of an ever more erratic Trump presidency, this work is more urgent than ever."