Arming the Quad: U.S. Foreign Military Sales to Australia, Japan, and India amidst U.S.-China Strategic Competition from the Quad's Founding to AUKUS, 2004-2021

Abstract

This research examines United States Security Cooperation via Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) partners – Australia, Japan, and India – amidst the U.S.-China strategic competition. In addition to the U.S., the Quad represents two long-standing U.S. allies (Australia and Japan) and a declared Major Defense Partner (India). Through a historical study, this research begins at the Quad’s founding (December 2004), continuing to the establishment of the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the U.S., known as AUKUS – a significant milestone for U.S. arms sales in the Indo-Pacific (September 2021). This research finds that, in response to China’s expanded influence and rapid militarization, the U.S. adopted an Indo-Pacific strategy that sought increased interoperability via Security Cooperation with allies and partners, namely the Quad.

Disciplines

International Relations | Political Science | Social and Behavioral Sciences

First Advisor

Chad Raymond

Date of Award

1-1-2023

Document Type

Dissertation

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