jpnn.com, AUSTRALIA - Australia and the United Kingdom will retaliate against cyberattacks from China, Russia, and Iran, Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton has said.
Dutton made this statement ahead of a consultation meeting with the UK in Sydney.
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Australia's defense and foreign ministers will meet British Defense Minister Ben Wallace and Foreign Minister Liz Truss on Friday at the annual Australian-UK Ministerial Consultation meeting.
The two countries would work together to prevent cyberattacks and increase sanctions against hostile nations' cyber activities, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said, after signing the agreement with Truss on Thursday.
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"Australia is committed to working with partners such as the UK to challenge malign actors who use technology to undermine freedom and democracy," Payne said in a statement.
Dutton said Friday's meeting would focus on cyberspace.
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"Both the UK and Australia get regular attacks from Russia and from China, Iran and other countries," he said in a radio broadcast, adding that both countries would strike back.
The discussions will also identify areas where the two countries could cooperate in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as Australia's nuclear-powered submarine program.
The newly formed Aukus defense alliance with the UK and the US is important to Australia, according to Dutton.
The alliance last year prompted Australia to cancel a conventional submarine-building contract with France.
"They are big countries and they have big military machines and are important allies and friends for us as a smaller country of only 25 million people if we are going to deter countries from aggressive behaviour," he said. (ant/dil/mcr20/jpnn)
This news has been broadcast on JPNN.com with the title: Australia Sebut 3 Negara Ini Aktor Pemfitnah dan Perusak Demokrasi