U.S., Australia, Britain Launch First AUKUS Project on Uncrewed Undersea Vehicles
Defense ministers from the three nations unveiled the project on May 31, 2026, at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The effort focuses on advanced payloads for uncrewed undersea vehicles to support maritime operations.
The GuardianThe United States, Australia and Britain announced the first AUKUS Pillar 2 signature project on May 31, 2026, focused on fielding advanced uncrewed undersea vehicles. U.S. Embassy in Singapore during the Shangri-La Dialogue. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and British Defense Secretary John Healey joined him for an AUKUS defense ministers' news conference at the same location.
The project will deliver a suite of highly adaptable multi-mission UUV payloads designed to support undersea operations.
John Healey said the planned technology includes a range of cutting-edge sensors and weapons systems for undersea drones. The systems will be deployed on uncrewed underwater vessels, he added. AUKUS Pillar 1 focuses on Australia’s acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
Pillar 2 pools the defense industrial capabilities of the three nations to develop advanced military technologies. The pact is framed by its members as supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific. Australia will acquire three in-service Virginia-class submarines instead of a mixture of new and in-service variants.
The change was announced in a joint statement on May 31, 2026. The revised approach is intended to streamline supply chain management, operational and maintenance requirements, and maximize cost efficiencies. S.
3 new submarines per year by 2032. The protection of underwater infrastructure was a major topic of discussion at the Shangri-La Dialogue. Richard Marles said the seabed has become a major field of contest over the past 18 months.
He stated there have been a series of attacks against subsea critical infrastructure at a scale and frequency that is historically unprecedented. Several incidents in the past two years involved seabed cables damaged by ships in the Baltic and around the Asian region. Nearly all of Australia’s internet traffic flows through 15 subsea cables, Canberra’s top diplomat pointed out.
The ability to operate as a modern economy and a functioning state is critically dependent on infrastructure that is exposed, that cannot move. Pauline Hanson told Sky News she is actively considering moving to the lower house at the next Australian federal election expected in early 2028. Hanson was first elected to the lower house in 1996.
One Nation is polling above 20 percent. Hanson said she could be prime minister and would not rule out the job. She stated she believes she has the ability to do it. 5 billion.
She said people working overtime are taxed to the hilt and called for an overhaul of the taxation system.
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- The Guardian reported: Australia will acquire three in-service Virginia-class submarines instead of a mixture of new and in-service variants.
- The Guardian reported: Richard Marles stated that the seabed has become a major field of contest over the past 18 months.
- The Guardian reported: The new UUV payloads will include a range of cutting-edge sensors and weapons systems.
- The Guardian reported: Nearly all of Australia’s internet traffic flows through 15 subsea cables.
- The Guardian reported: The change to all in-service Virginia-class submarines is intended to streamline acquisition, simplify supply chain and maintenance requirements, and maximize cost efficiencies.
- The Guardian reported: There have been a series of attacks against subsea critical infrastructure at a scale and frequency that is historically unprecedented.
- The Guardian reported: Protection of underwater infrastructure has been a major topic at the Shangri-La Dialogue.
- The Guardian reported: US shipyards are under pressure to increase production to an average of 2.3 new submarines per year by 2032.
- The Guardian reported: Pauline Hanson told Sky News she is actively considering moving to the lower house at the next Australian federal election expected in early 2028.
- The Guardian reported: One Nation is polling above 20 percent.
- The Guardian reported: Pauline Hanson said she could be prime minister and would not rule out the job.
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