DOD names new AUKUS senior adviser

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has named Abraham Denmark to serve as his senior adviser on the tripartite alliance between the United States, Australia and United Kingdom, the Pentagon announced today.

According to a statement from acting Pentagon Press Secretary Todd Breasseale, Denmark "will advise the secretary and coordinate efforts across the department to move rapidly in delivering on the promise of this historic partnership to help Australia establish a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability and to accelerate development of advanced capabilities to serve security and stability in the Indo-Pacific."

Denmark is currently vice president of programs at the Wilson Center in Washington, DC, and from 2015 to 2017 served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia, according to Breasseale's statement.

"In his new role he will help move forward one of America’s most important partnerships in the Indo-Pacific," Breasseale said.

James Miller will continue to serve as the U.S. coordinator for AUKUS at the National Security Council, according to the statement.

In April, the White House announced that the three countries had expanded the scope of efforts under the trilateral agreement to include hypersonic and electronic warfare capabilities.

Additionally, earlier this month, Australia's defense minister said he is hoping to use the pact to build a foundation of "seamless" industrial bases between the three countries as they look to leverage a host of emerging technologies and capabilities.