The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia announced joint projects to develop advanced underwater drones and unmanned undersea vehicles on Saturday [1].
This agreement aims to reinvigorate the second pillar of the AUKUS defence pact and enhance allied undersea warfare capabilities. The move accelerates the acquisition of submarine technology to counter regional security threats [3].
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey, and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles made the announcement on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore [1]. The partnership focuses on the creation of unmanned undersea vehicles and associated payloads [2].
Officials said that the delivery of this underwater-drone capability is targeted for 2027 [1]. The project represents a shift toward integrating autonomous systems into the maritime strategy of the three nations.
As part of the effort to speed up the submarine plan, Australia will forgo the purchase of a new-build Virginia-class submarine [4]. Instead, the country will acquire another ex-U.S. Navy boat [4].
"A momentous occasion for the defence pact," Marles said [3].
The initiative focuses on the second pillar of AUKUS, which emphasizes joint development of advanced capabilities including artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. By prioritizing unmanned systems, the allies seek to increase their operational reach without the immediate need for crewed vessels.
“Delivery of the underwater-drone capability is targeted for 2027.”
The shift toward unmanned undersea vehicles and the acquisition of an ex-U.S. Navy vessel instead of a new-build submarine indicates a strategic pivot toward rapid capability deployment. By prioritizing drones with a 2027 deadline, AUKUS is attempting to bridge the immediate technological gap in undersea warfare while reducing the long-term reliance on the slower production timelines of new nuclear-powered submarines.
