US, UK and Australia to develop underwater drone technology

May 30, 2026

The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia announced they will jointly develop uncrewed undersea vehicle (UUV) technology by next year as part of their Aukus military alliance, with Britain pledging £150 million toward the effort. This marks the first major deliverable under the pact's "Pillar Two" advanced capabilities program, following criticism that the alliance has been slow to produce tangible results since its 2021 formation. The drone technology will protect critical undersea infrastructure like cables and pipelines, conduct surveillance, and enhance military capabilities amid growing concerns about Russian and Chinese activities near seabed infrastructure.

Who is affected

The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia (alliance members investing in and receiving the technology)
Naval forces of all three nations (will operate the new UUV systems)
China and Russia (targeted indirectly as the alliance aims to counter their maritime activities)
Countries relying on undersea cables and pipelines for communications and energy (beneficiaries of enhanced infrastructure protection)
Taiwan, Sweden, and Baltic Sea nations (have experienced suspected cable damage from foreign vessels)
US Navy personnel (scheduled to deploy to Australia later this year)

What action is being taken

The three countries are developing uncrewed undersea vehicle technology expected to be ready by next year
The UK is contributing £150 million to the UUV project
The US and UK are rotating their existing nuclear-powered submarines through Australia
Work is underway at HMAS Stirling navy base in Western Australia to prepare for hosting rotational submarine forces by end of 2027
A construction yard is being established in South Australia to build Aukus submarines

Why it matters

This initiative represents a significant response to increasing threats against critical undersea infrastructure that modern societies depend on for communications, internet connectivity, and energy supplies. The project addresses documented security concerns, including a reported 30% rise in Russian vessels in UK waters and suspected Chinese and Russian involvement in damaging undersea cables near Taiwan, Sweden, and the Baltic Sea. As the first concrete deliverable under Aukus's advanced capabilities pillar, it demonstrates the alliance's ability to produce tangible results and signals a collective effort to counter China's expanding maritime presence in the Indo-Pacific region and maintain deterrence across multiple strategic waterways including the Pacific, Atlantic, and High North waters.

What's next

UUV technology is expected to be ready by next year
First US Navy personnel are due to arrive in Australia later this year as part of submarine rotation
HMAS Stirling navy base in Western Australia will be ready to host rotational submarine forces by the end of 2027
Australia will purchase second-hand nuclear submarines from the US in the 2030s
Aukus nuclear-powered attack submarines are scheduled to be ready in the 2040s

Read full article from source: BBC