AUKUS to develop unmanned undersea vehicles, delivery set for 2027 The United States, Britain, and Australia are collaborating under the AUKUS defense pact to develop unmanned undersea vehicles, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027. This initiative, part of AUKUS’s Pillar Two, will enhance the nations’ reconnaissance, strike capabilities, and anti-submarine warfare, directly countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. The program aims to provide advanced battlefield technologies and sharpen response capabilities to various threats, including those targeting underwater infrastructure.

• The US, UK, and Australia are developing unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) under the AUKUS defense pact.
• Deliveries of the UUVs are scheduled to start in 2027.
• The program aims to improve reconnaissance, strike capabilities, and anti-submarine warfare.
• It falls under AUKUS’s Pillar Two, focusing on advanced defense technologies like quantum computing and AI.
• AUKUS was formed in 2021 to counter China’s power in the Indo-Pacific.
• China has criticized the pact, warning of a regional arms race.
• The UUVs will sharpen response to threats, including those targeting underwater cables and pipelines.