With Allies, Neighbors Develop New Underwater Weapons to Counter China

The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia are fast-tracking the development of uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) as a key component of their trilateral AUKUS defense pact. This collaborative effort is designed to significantly enhance the military prowess of the three nations in the face of escalating strategic competition with China in the vital Indo-Pacific region.

According to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the delivery of these advanced drone systems is slated to commence in 2027. This timeline is part of a broader agenda focused on developing cutting-edge defense technologies under the AUKUS framework. A joint statement from the three countries highlighted that the UUVs will bolster capabilities in reconnaissance, attack operations, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, mine countermeasures, electronic warfare, and operations in contested coastal areas.

Hegseth stated at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that this flagship project will introduce a suite of highly adaptable, multi-mission UUV payloads. These are engineered to support underwater operations and maintain the collective advantage in the maritime domain. The program falls under Pillar Two of AUKUS, which concentrates on pioneering next-generation military technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, undersea technologies, hypersonic systems, and cyber capabilities.

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This flagship project will introduce a suite of highly adaptable, multi-mission UUV payloads designed to support underwater operations and maintain the collective advantage in the maritime domain.

Established in 2021, AUKUS aims to strengthen the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. However, Beijing has consistently criticized the pact, viewing it as a potential catalyst for a new arms race in the region. British Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized that the collaboration will expedite the deployment of state-of-the-art battlefield technology to the armed forces of the three nations, stating, "It will rapidly provide our forces with the most advanced battlefield technology as we jointly produce a range of cutting-edge sensors and weapons systems for underwater drones."

Healey further noted that the new systems will also improve the three nations' capacity to counter threats to critical underwater infrastructure, such as communication cables and energy pipelines, which are essential to the global economy. The AUKUS initiative underscores a strategic pivot towards advanced, collaborative defense capabilities in response to evolving geopolitical dynamics.

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It will rapidly provide our forces with the most advanced battlefield technology as we jointly produce a range of cutting-edge sensors and weapons systems for underwater drones.