Government puts money where its mouth is on Aukus as it unveils underwater drones
Previous phases of Aukus were characterised by too much talk and not enough delivery, according to the Defence Secretary – but that's about to change, as the government unveils new technology to be developed by the trilateral security partnership.
John Healey, who was in Singapore alongside his Aukus counterparts US secretary of war Pete Hegseth and Australia's deputy prime minister Richard Marles, announced that the kit will be carried by uncrewed underwater vessels (UUVs).
"This will rapidly give our forces the very most advanced technologies as together we produce a range of cutting-edge sensors and weapons systems for undersea drones," Mr Healey said.
In April, a House of Commons Defence Committee report said that the UK government must inject renewed impetus into Aukus, if it is to deliver on its potential.
Senior Service's mission to become a Hybrid Navy
The first capabilities are expected to be in service by 2027 and will aid the Royal Navy's transition to a Hybrid Navy, which combines new uncrewed vessels with traditional crewed vessels, such as frigates.
It is hoped that the equipment will detect underwater threats to the UK and its allies' critical infrastructure.
The Royal Navy will be able to integrate the sensors and weapons systems from Canberra and Washington to create a more effective and lethal force.
"The signature project will deliver a suite of highly adaptable multi-mission UUV payloads designed to support undersea operations and maintain our collective advantage in the maritime domain," Mr Hegseth said.
"This is what modern defence looks like," Mr Healey added.
This new technology comes under the second pillar of the Aukus security pact, which sees the US, UK and Australia work together on advanced technologies, like AI and hypersonics. The first pillar covers the development of a new submarine class, SSN-Aukus.
Four companies have also been awarded a share of £3m in funding to build and test their capabilities after they won the 2025 Aukus Maritime Innovation Challenge.
The competition tried to find companies working on the command, control and teaming of undersea drones.
Submarines to go to Australia
The Aukus defence ministers announced progress in creating a Submarine Rotational Force-West, which will see a rotational presence of UK and US nuclear-powered submarines at HMAS Stirling in Australia.
The first rotation of a nuclear-powered US submarine to HMAS Stirling is expected next year, and will be followed by a UK Astute-class submarine.
It follows HMS Anson's maintenance period at HMAS Stirling in February this year.
Aukus was formed in 2021 to counter China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
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