AUKUS to Develop Unmanned Undersea Vehicles, Delivery Set for 2027
The United States, Britain, and Australia are collaborating to develop unmanned undersea vehicles as part of their AUKUS defense pact. This initiative, announced by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, aims to enhance the three nations' reconnaissance and strike capabilities. The vehicles are expected to bolster superiority in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, mine countermeasures, electronic warfare, and contested littoral maneuver. The delivery of these vehicles is scheduled to begin in 2027. The AUKUS pact, formed in 2021, is a strategic effort to counter China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. China's response to the pact has been critical, labeling it as dangerous and a potential catalyst for a regional arms race.