The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia will develop underwater drone technology under the ‘AUKUS’ alliance. They have undertaken this initiative to safeguard undersea cables and bolster their respective defense capabilities.

It is expected that this unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV)—or drone technology—will be ready within the coming year. The total cost of this project has not been disclosed; however, UK Shadow Defense Secretary John Healey stated that his country would contribute £150 million ($201 million) toward it.

The defense ministers of the three nations made this announcement at a security conference held in Singapore. This declaration came primarily in the wake of widespread criticism regarding the slow pace of progress on the AUKUS project.

John Healey acknowledged the criticism regarding the sluggish pace of work. He remarked, “For a long time, we have done nothing but talk regarding the AUKUS pact. Very little substantive work has actually been accomplished.” However, he also noted that this situation has since changed under the current administrations of the three countries.

The AUKUS defense pact was signed in 2021. Under this agreement, the three nations announced plans to develop nuclear-powered submarines and share their respective military expertise.

Many view this pact as a strategic means to counter China’s growing naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region. Furthermore, China plays a role in escalating tensions in disputed areas such as the South China Sea; this alliance is also working to counter such activities by Beijing.

This underwater drone technology constitutes the first major project under “Pillar Two”—or the second phase—of the AUKUS agreement. Under this phase of the pact, the allied nations collaborate to enhance their “advanced capabilities.” This includes working on long-range hypersonic missiles, underwater robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI).

A joint statement indicated that this new project would develop state-of-the-art technology and specialized systems for these underwater drones. These drones will be capable of protecting undersea infrastructure. Additionally, they will perform tasks such as conducting attacks, carrying out surveillance, gathering intelligence, and delivering supplies. John Healey further stated that specialized sensors and weapon systems would also be developed for these drones. As a result, the alliance’s forces will very quickly gain access to advanced combat technology.

Much of human daily life depends on undersea cables and pipelines. These new drones will also assist in countering any threats that may arise against this critical infrastructure. Healey added that such initiatives would bolster their deterrence capabilities across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic regions.

Just a month ago, John Healey leveled an allegation against Russia. He claimed that Russia was conducting covert operations targeting cables and pipelines within the UK’s northern territorial waters. The announcement regarding the new drones followed shortly after this accusation. However, Moscow has denied these allegations made by the UK.

Last December, the UK and Norway signed an agreement. The objective of this pact was to track Russian submarines in the North Atlantic in order to safeguard undersea cables.

Approximately 60 undersea cables connect to the UK. According to British officials, these cables are facing increasing threats due to Moscow’s activities. Over the past few years, the presence of Russian vessels within UK territorial waters has increased by 30 percent.

Meanwhile, Chinese vessels are suspected of being responsible for damage to undersea cables in the territorial waters of Taiwan and Sweden.

Reports of damage to undersea cables have also emerged on several occasions in the Baltic Sea.

On Saturday, the BBC inquired whether this underwater drone project was specifically undertaken to counter the undersea activities of Russia and China. However, the defense ministers of the three nations declined to answer this question.

They also sidestepped questions regarding whether the progress of the AUKUS project was proceeding too slowly. Under “Pillar One” of the defense pact, nuclear-powered submarines are scheduled to be built in the UK and Australia; these vessels will subsequently be deployed by the respective nations’ navies.

This agreement represents a significant opportunity, particularly for Australia, as it is expected to substantially enhance the country’s military capabilities. Following the United Kingdom, Australia is set to become the second country to receive nuclear submarine technology from Washington. The United Kingdom began acquiring this technology decades ago.

However, questions are being raised within Australia itself regarding this massive defense project. Australia’s aging submarine fleet is nearing the end of its operational life. Doubts are mounting as to whether new submarines will be delivered in time to replace them—or indeed, whether they will be delivered at all.

The AUKUS submarines are not expected to be ready until the 2040s. Until then, the United States and the United Kingdom will deploy their nuclear submarines to Australia on a rotational basis. Subsequently, in the 2030s, Australia will purchase older nuclear submarines from the United States.

A few days prior to attending the Shangri-La Dialogue conference in Singapore, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles addressed this criticism. He stated that Australia has no choice but to move forward with the AUKUS submarine project, as they possess no “Plan B” or alternative strategy.

On Saturday, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth affirmed that the plan to rotationally deploy US and UK nuclear submarines to Australia remains “firmly on track.” As part of this initiative, the first contingent of the US Navy is scheduled to arrive there later this year.

Marles noted that HMAS Stirling naval base in Western Australia is expected to be ready to accommodate this submarine force by the end of 2027. Furthermore, construction of a shipyard in South Australia—dedicated to building the AUKUS submarines—is also “progressing rapidly.”