The United States, Britain, and Australia are jointly developing unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) as part of their trilateral AUKUS defence pact, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth announced on Saturday.
Delivery Timeline and Capabilities
According to a joint statement by AUKUS, the delivery of these vehicles will commence in 2027. The programme is designed to enhance the three nations' reconnaissance and strike capabilities. It will also bolster superiority in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, mine countermeasures, electronic warfare, and contested littoral manoeuvre, the statement added.
Pillar Two of AUKUS
This initiative falls under AUKUS's so-called "Pillar Two," which focuses on developing advanced defence technology, including quantum computing, undersea systems, hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, and cyber technology. The unmanned undersea vehicles are a signature project within this pillar.
"The signature project will deliver a suite of highly adaptable multi-mission UUV payloads designed to support undersea operations and maintain our collective advantage in the maritime domain," Hegseth said. The collaboration underscores the deepening defence ties among the three allies, aiming to counter emerging threats and maintain technological superiority in underwater warfare.
This development comes amid heightened global tensions, with the AUKUS partners seeking to strengthen their military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The unmanned undersea vehicles are expected to play a critical role in future naval operations, providing enhanced surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike options without risking human lives.
