Australian and US researchers are teaming up with the UK to build sophisticated underwater drones that can detect and disarm enemy mines and submarines.
The AUKUS alliance has announced a major project to develop advanced unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs), a move aimed at bolstering the region’s maritime security in the face of growing threats from China and other nations. Growing threats to critical underwater infrastructure, such as telecommunications cables and energy pipelines, have made maritime defence capabilities more pressing than ever, according to **Richard Marles**, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister.
A major part of the UUVs will be their ability to stay submerged for extended periods and gather intelligence without being detected. They’re also designed to perform a variety of tasks, including mine countermeasures and anti-submarine warfare.
The AUKUS deal will involve the joint development of UUVs by the three nations’ military personnel, with researchers from the University of Sydney and the US Naval Postgraduate School working closely with the UK’s Royal Navy to perfect the technology.
For Richard Marles, the project represents a significant milestone in the AUKUS partnership, which was established in 2021 to promote cooperation on defence, security, and technology between Australia, the UK, and the US.
What this means
The AUKUS UUV project will likely have significant implications for regional security, with analysts predicting it will enhance Australia’s ability to detect and respond to underwater threats. The increased focus on maritime security will also put pressure on nations like China to rethink their naval expansion plans.
