The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia announced plans to develop uncrewed undersea vehicle (UUV) technology under their AUKUS military pact, aimed at protecting submarine cables and enhancing defense capabilities.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey, speaking at a security summit in Singapore, said the technology is expected to be ready by next year, with Britain contributing £150 million ($201 million). The total project cost was not disclosed.
The announcement comes amid criticism of slow progress in AUKUS projects. Acknowledging the criticism, Healey stated, "For too long in AUKUS, we talked too much and delivered too little," adding that "that has now changed under our three governments."
The AUKUS defense pact, initiated in 2021, involves developing nuclear submarines and sharing military expertise. It is widely seen as a counter to China's growing maritime presence in the Indo-Pacific and tensions in the South China Sea.
The UUV project is the first signature initiative under AUKUS's Pillar Two, which focuses on "advanced capabilities" including hypersonic missiles, undersea robotics, and artificial intelligence.
A joint statement said the project will develop "cutting edge payloads and enabling systems" for UUVs to protect seabed infrastructure, conduct strikes, surveillance, reconnaissance, and logistics operations.
Healey added that sensors and weapons systems will be developed, "rapidly giving our forces advanced battle technologies" and strengthening deterrence in the Pacific, Atlantic, and High North waters.
The announcement follows Healey's accusation last month that Russia was running covert operations near undersea cables north of the UK, which Moscow denied. In December, the UK and Norway signed a pact to hunt Russian submarines in the North Atlantic to protect cables.
British officials say the UK is connected by about 60 undersea cables increasingly threatened by Moscow, with a 30% rise in Russian vessels spotted in UK waters in recent years. Chinese ships are also suspected of damaging cables near Taiwan and in Swedish territory.
On Saturday, the three defense ministers declined to answer whether the UUV project targets Russian and Chinese undersea activities, or whether AUKUS progress is too slow.
Under Pillar One, nuclear-powered attack submarines will be built in the UK and Australia. For Australia, the deal represents a major military upgrade, making it only the second country to receive US nuclear propulsion technology after the UK.
However, questions persist in Australia about whether the project can be completed on time, with AUKUS submarines not scheduled until the 2040s. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said there is "no plan B."
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the plan to rotate US and UK nuclear submarines through Australia is "still on track," with the first US Navy personnel arriving later this year.
Source: www.bbc.com