AUKUS Partners Launch Undersea Drone Project and Revise Submarine Deal

Defense ministers from the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia announced a strategic expansion and modification of the AUKUS pact during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The partners launched the first major signature project under Pillar Two: the joint development of advanced uncrewed undersea vehicles (UUVs). Designed to protect critical seabed infrastructure from sabotage and enhance surveillance and strike capabilities, the project has received £150 million in funding from the UK, with deliveries expected to begin in 2027.

Simultaneously, Richard Marles, Australia's Defense Minister, announced a shift in the Pillar One submarine acquisition plan. Australia will now purchase three in-service, second-hand Virginia-class submarines from the U.S. Navy, abandoning a previous plan for a mix of new and used vessels. Marles described the move as a cost-effective measure to streamline supply chains and maintenance. However, the decision sparked criticism from opposition politicians and analysts who argued the shift was a result of U.S. production delays and that Australia is receiving inferior Block IV models.

In the wake of these changes, former minister Peter Garrett launched an independent, crowd-funded inquiry via the Australian Peace and Security Forum to examine the A$368 billion deal's impact on sovereignty and national security. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised Australia's support but warned other allies that the era of U.S.-subsidized defense is over, demanding partners increase military spending to at least 3.5 percent of GDP. The alliance continues to face condemnation from China and Russia, who view the pact as a destabilizing force in the Indo-Pacific.