Aukus: US, UK and Australia to develop underwater drone technology

The technology, developed under the Aukus military pact, is aimed at protecting undersea cables and boosting naval defence.

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The uncrewed undersea vehicle (UUV) technology is expected to be ready by next year. While the project's total cost was not stated, UK Defence Secretary John Healey said his nation would contribute £150m ($201m).

The announcement, made by the countries' defence ministers at a security summit in Singapore, follows claims of slow progress in Aukus's projects.

Acknowledging the criticism, Healey said "for too long in Aukus, we talked too much and delivered too little", adding "that has now changed under our three governments".

The Aukus defence pact, which began in 2021, affirmed the three countries would develop nuclear submarines and share military expertise.