US, UK, Australia to build underwater drones under AUKUS by 2027

AUKUS nations to partner on unmanned undersea vehicles by 2027

Mohan Sinha
01 Jun 2026, 06:24 GMT+10

The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia are working together to build unmanned underwater vehicles under their AUKUS defense agreement.
The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia are working together to build unmanned underwater vehicles under their AUKUS defense agreement.
AUKUS was established in 2021 as part of efforts by the three countries to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.

SINGAPORE: The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia are working together to build unmanned underwater vehicles under their AUKUS defense agreement, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on May 30.

In a joint statement, AUKUS said these vehicles will start being delivered in 2027.

The program is meant to strengthen the three countries' ability to gather information and carry out attacks. It will also improve their strength in areas like anti-submarine and surface warfare, mine clearing, electronic warfare, and operations in coastal areas.

This project is part of AUKUS's "Pillar Two," which focuses on developing advanced military technologies such as quantum computing, undersea systems, hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, and cyber tools.

Hegseth said the project will provide flexible, multi-purpose underwater drone systems to support operations at sea and help maintain their advantage in maritime security.

AUKUS was created in 2021 as part of efforts by the three countries to counter China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

China has criticized the pact, calling it risky and warning that it could lead to an arms race in the region.

UK Defense Secretary John Healey said the project will quickly give their forces some of the most advanced battlefield technologies, including modern sensors and weapons for underwater drones.

He also said these vehicles will improve their ability to respond to threats, such as attacks on underwater cables and pipelines.

Healey added that in the past, AUKUS had focused too much on discussions and not enough on action.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Raleigh Times.

More Information

Business

Section

Beijing broadens digital yuan use in payments and trade

BEIJING, China: China is stepping up efforts to expand the use of its digital yuan both domestically and internationally, according...

Meta employee monitoring project sparks GDPR concerns

NEW YORK CITY, New York: Meta's effort to train artificial intelligence systems using detailed records of employee computer activity...

Retail giants warn of softer demand, shares slide

NEW YORK CITY, New York: Shares of Gap and American Eagle Outfitters fell sharply on May 29 after both retailers delivered disappointing...

France becomes first EU nation to fund weight-loss drugs

PARIS, France: France will begin reimbursing weight-loss medications for severely obese patients from mid-June, becoming the first...

Temu hit with massive EU fine over hazardous goods

LONDON, UK: Chinese online retailer Temu has been fined 200 million euros (US$232 million) by the European Union after regulators found...

Caesars Entertainment sold in major Las Vegas casino deal

LAS VEGAS, Nevada: Caesars Entertainment, one of the most recognizable names on the Las Vegas Strip, is being acquired by Fertitta...

North Carolina

Section

AUKUS nations to partner on unmanned undersea vehicles by 2027

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Business

Beijing broadens digital yuan use in payments and trade

Meta employee monitoring project sparks GDPR concerns

Retail giants warn of softer demand, shares slide

France becomes first EU nation to fund weight-loss drugs

Temu hit with massive EU fine over hazardous goods

Caesars Entertainment sold in major Las Vegas casino deal

North Carolina

Meta employee monitoring project sparks GDPR concerns

Trump getting richer as average Americans get poorer

Rays place RHP Craig Kimbrel (wrist) on 15-day IL

MAGA loyalist Sonny Joy Nelson becomes latest key Trump aide to quit White House

Layne Riggs delivers last-lap pass for Truck Series win at Nashville

Arizona F Koa Peat remains in draft as 38 early entrants withdraw

Movie Review

Apex