New AUKUS project to develop unmanned undersea vehicles

The United States, Britain, and Australia are collaborating under the AUKUS defense pact to develop unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) as part of their advanced technology initiative. The project, announced by US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth in Singapore, aims to deliver multi-mission UUV payloads by 2027, improving reconnaissance, strike capabilities, and anti-submarine warfare for the three nations. The UUVs will support undersea operations, including mine countermeasures, electronic warfare, and contested littoral maneuvering, according to a joint AUKUS statement. The program falls under AUKUS’ Pillar Two, which focuses on quantum computing, hypersonic technology, artificial intelligence, and cyber capabilities. UK Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted the vehicles’ role in protecting critical underwater infrastructure, such as cables and pipelines, while Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles joined the announcement at the Shangri-La Dialogue. Healey criticized past delays in AUKUS projects, stating the new initiative will rapidly deploy cutting-edge sensors and weapons systems for undersea drones. Formed in 2021, AUKUS is designed to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. China has warned the pact risks escalating regional arms races. Australia is also advancing its nuclear-powered submarine plans, with Virginia-class submarines arriving in the early 2030s and a new fleet set for delivery from the 2040s, incorporating US and British technology.