presence and is a key partner and ally in strengthening the security and prosperity of the region. the united states looks forward to working closely with france and other key countries as we go forward. and, finally, this initiative is about making sure that each of us has a modern capability, the most modern capabilities we need to maneuver and defend against rapidly evolving threats. aukus will bring together our sailors, our scientists, and our industries to maintain and expand our aging military capabilities and critical technology such as cyber, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and undersea domains. now as a key project under aukus, we are launching consultations with australia s acquisition of conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines for its navy, conventionally armed. i want to be exceedingly clear about this. we re not talking about nuclear