US, UK and Australia to develop underwater drones through defence pact
The US, UK, and Australia will jointly develop advanced underwater drones under the AUKUS pact to enhance maritime surveillance and security. The initiative aims to counter China's military expansion in the Indo-Pacific by improving anti-submarine warfare and protecting critical undersea infrastructure.
The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have announced plans to jointly develop advanced underwater drones as part of the AUKUS defence pact, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth revealed. The initiative, aimed at enhancing underwater surveillance and maritime security, marks a significant expansion of the trilateral security partnership established in 2021 to counter growing threats in the Indo-Pacific region. By leveraging their combined technological and industrial capabilities, the three nations aim to accelerate the deployment of uncrewed undersea vehicles capable of intelligence gathering, mine detection, and even offensive operations.
The move comes amid escalating concerns over China’s military modernisation and assertive behaviour in critical waterways, including the South China Sea, where Beijing has constructed artificial islands and deployed military assets. The development of underwater drones is expected to strengthen allied naval dominance by improving anti-submarine warfare, countering adversarial submarine fleets, and securing undersea infrastructure such as communication cables and pipelines. Analysts suggest this collaboration could also serve broader strategic interests, including monitoring illegal fishing and smuggling activities, while reinforcing deterrence against potential aggression.
Recent events have underscored the urgency of such capabilities. In 2023, a suspected Chinese spy balloon traversed US airspace, highlighting vulnerabilities in overhead surveillance, while underwater incidents—such as the suspected sabotage of undersea cables near Taiwan—have raised alarms about the fragility of critical maritime infrastructure. The AUKUS partners have also accelerated efforts to support Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, a cornerstone of the pact’s deterrent strategy, with the first boats expected to enter service in the 2030s.
The underwater drone initiative reflects a broader shift toward autonomous systems in modern defence, with the US already deploying similar technologies in the Pacific. The UK and Australia are expected to contribute expertise in artificial intelligence and underwater robotics, while the US will likely provide advanced sensors and propulsion systems. Together, these developments signal a new phase in naval warfare, where uncrewed platforms play a central role in maintaining maritime security in an increasingly contested global commons.
