US, UK and Australia to Develop Underwater Drone Technology

Darwin, 31 May : The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia have announced plans to jointly develop underwater drone technology under the AUKUS security partnership. The unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) technology is expected to be ready by next year.

Although the total cost of the project has not been disclosed, UK Defence Secretary John Healey said Britain would invest £150 million (approximately US$201 million) in the initiative, according to the BBC.

The announcement was made on Saturday (May 30) during a security conference in Singapore, where the defence ministers of the three countries unveiled the project. The move comes amid criticism over the slow pace of progress on various AUKUS initiatives.

Addressing the criticism, Healey acknowledged past shortcomings, saying, “For too long, AUKUS has talked more and delivered less. Under our three governments, that is now changing.”

Established in 2021, the AUKUS defence pact committed the three nations to developing nuclear-powered submarines and enhancing cooperation through the sharing of military technology and expertise. The alliance is widely seen as a strategic response to China’s expanding maritime presence in the Indo-Pacific region and rising tensions in disputed waters, including the South China Sea.

The unmanned underwater vehicle programme marks the first major project under AUKUS Pillar II, which focuses on the joint development of advanced military capabilities such as long-range hypersonic missiles, underwater robotics, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge technologies.

In a joint statement, the three countries said the project would develop advanced payloads and support systems for unmanned underwater vehicles. These drones are expected to be used for protecting seabed infrastructure, conducting strike operations, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, intelligence gathering, monitoring activities, and logistical support.

Healey said the programme would include the development of sophisticated sensors and weapons systems, enabling allied forces to rapidly benefit from advanced military technologies. He added that the technology would also help counter threats to undersea cables and pipelines, which are vital to modern economies and daily life.

According to Healey, the initiative will strengthen deterrence capabilities across the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and Arctic waters.

Last month, Healey accused Russia of carrying out covert activities around cables and pipelines in waters north of the United Kingdom, allegations that Moscow has denied.

In December, the United Kingdom and Norway signed an agreement aimed at detecting and monitoring Russian submarines in the North Atlantic to help safeguard undersea communications cables.

The UK is connected to approximately 60 undersea cables. British officials say the presence of Russian vessels in UK waters has increased by around 30 percent in recent years, raising concerns about the security of this critical infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Chinese vessels have been suspected of involvement in incidents involving damaged undersea cables near Taiwan and in Swedish waters. Several cases of damage to seabed cables have also been reported across the Baltic Sea region in recent years.