STORY
The UK, Australia and the United States have announced a new AUKUS project to develop uncrewed underwater technologies, with first capabilities expected to enter service from 2027. The Ministry of Defence said the work would be the first signature project under Pillar 2 of the security partnership, which focuses on advanced military technologies.
The project will develop payloads and enabling systems for uncrewed underwater vessels, with ministers saying the capability could support surveillance, reconnaissance, strike operations, anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures and protection of critical seabed infrastructure. Defence Secretary John Healey announced the plans in Singapore alongside US and Australian counterparts.
The Government said the programme would also support British companies, with three UK firms among winners of the AUKUS Maritime Innovation Challenge and sharing in £3 million of funding. Healey said the agreement showed AUKUS was delivering for security and the economy, while the joint ministerial statement said the partnership remained on track on both submarine co-operation and advanced capabilities.