The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia have announced the launch of a joint program to develop autonomous underwater vehicles as part of their AUKUS defense pact. The goal is to strengthen their underwater military capabilities in the face of evolving threats in the Indo-Pacific region.
The announcement was made by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during a meeting with his British and Australian counterparts in Singapore. According to a joint statement, the first deliveries of these autonomous systems are scheduled to begin in 2027.
These unmanned underwater vehicles are expected to enhance the reconnaissance and strike capabilities of the three countries. They will also be used for anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, mine clearance, electronic warfare, and operations in contested coastal areas.
The program falls under the second pillar of the AUKUS agreement, which aims to develop advanced defense technologies. This includes work on quantum computing, hypersonic systems, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and underwater technologies.
According to military officials, these autonomous vehicles will enable the rapid deployment of advanced capabilities on the battlefield, thanks to joint production between the three allies. The project is presented as a key element in strengthening their technological superiority in the maritime domain.
Established in 2021, the AUKUS partnership aims to strengthen security cooperation between Washington, London, and Canberra in the context of China's growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific region. Beijing has already criticized this pact, which it considers an initiative likely to fuel tensions and trigger an arms race in the region.
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