The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have announced a joint initiative to develop uncrewed undersea vehicle (UUV) technology to safeguard undersea cables and bolster naval defences.
The project, part of the AUKUS military alliance, is expected to be operational by next year.
Speaking at Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore, UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that Britain would contribute £150 million ($201 million) to the new project.
This development marks the first signature project under AUKUS’s Pillar Two, a segment of the pact where partner nations collaborate on “advanced capabilities” such as undersea robotics, artificial intelligence, and long-range hypersonic missiles, reports BBC.
A joint statement from the three nations detailed that the project would focus on developing “cutting edge payloads and enabling systems”. These UUVs are intended to protect critical seabed infrastructure, conduct surveillance, reconnaissance, and logistics operations, and carry out strikes. Healey stated that the development of these sensors and weapons systems would “rapidly give our forces advanced battle technologies”.
The announcement comes amidst previous criticisms regarding the slow progress of AUKUS projects since the pact’s inception in 2021. Acknowledging these concerns, Healey remarked, “For too long in AUKUS, we talked too much and delivered too little,” adding that this trend has changed under the current three governments.
The move is widely interpreted as a strategic counter to China’s expanding maritime presence in the Indo-Pacific and its involvement in the South China Sea. UK has reported a 30% increase in Russian vessels spotted in its waters over recent years, with Healey previously accusing Moscow of running covert operations over underwater pipelines and cables.
While the UUV project targets near-term deployment, Pillar One of the AUKUS deal – the construction of nuclear-powered attack submarines – remains a long-term goal scheduled for completion in the 2040s.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles dismissed criticisms of the submarine timeline, stating there was no “plan B” and confirming that the HMAS Stirling navy base in Western Australia would be ready to host a rotational submarine force by the end of 2027.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth added that the plan to rotate US and UK nuclear-powered submarines through Australia is “still on track,” with the first US Navy personnel expected to arrive later this year.
In the 2030s, Australia is slated to purchase second-hand nuclear submarines from the US as an interim measure.
