The US also extended cyber defence, applied artificial intelligence and undersea capabilities to Australia.

Australia has vowed to defend the rule of law in air and water space where China has been trying to impose its supremacy and staked claims over multiple hotly contested spots.

Stirred by the alliance, China has termed it "extremely irresponsible" and a "threat to regional stability".

It also questioned Australia's commitment to nuclear proliferation and even warned the Western allies that they risked "shooting themselves in the foot".

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Friday in an interview with radio station 2GB that China has a "very substantive programme of nuclear submarine building", the report said, reported AFP.

"They have every right to take decisions in their national interests for their defence arrangements and of course so does Australia and all other countries," he said, the report added.

Australia is "very aware" of China's nuclear submarine capabilities and its growing defence investment, he told Channel Seven television in an interview, according to the report.

"We are interested in ensuring that international waters are always international waters and international skies are international skies and that the rule of law applies equally in all of these places," he said.

He said Australia wants to ensure there are no "no go zones" in areas governed by international laws.

"That's very important whether it is for trade, whether it is for things like undersea cables, for planes and where they can fly. I mean that is the order that we need to preserve. That is what peace and stability provides for and that is what we are seeking to achieve," Morrison said, according to the report.