The United Kingdom has formalised its entry into a trilateral agreement with the United States and Australia to develop and deploy autonomous underwater vehicles for seabed warfare. The pact, signed in London on Tuesday, marks a significant escalation in undersea military capabilities among the three Anglosphere allies.
The agreement, known as the Autonomous Undersea Vehicle Partnership (AUV-P), commits the signatories to shared research, development, and procurement of unmanned submersibles capable of mine countermeasures, surveillance, and offensive operations. The move is widely seen as a response to China's rapid expansion of its underwater fleet and its increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps described the partnership as a "critical step in maintaining our technological edge" and ensuring "free and open seas." The Royal Navy will contribute its expertise in deep-sea operations, particularly from its submarine and minehunting divisions. Australia, which has already invested heavily in autonomous systems under its $8 billion naval modernisation programme, will provide testing ranges off its coast. The United States, through the Pentagon's Strategic Capabilities Office, will lead the integration of artificial intelligence for autonomous navigation and target identification.
The AUV-P is distinct from the AUKUS security pact, which focuses on nuclear-powered submarines. However, officials acknowledged that the two agreements are complementary. "Secure seabed infrastructure is vital for nuclear deterrence," said a senior Ministry of Defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Protecting undersea cables and pipelines from sabotage is a shared priority."
Critics have expressed concern about the militarisation of the deep ocean, which is currently governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The treaty prohibits permanent military installations on the seabed but allows for transient vehicles. Legal experts say the new drones could operate in a legally ambiguous zone. "The technology is outpacing international law," said Dr. Helena Redmond of the Royal Institute of International Affairs. "These vessels blur the line between surveillance and attack."
China has responded with its own underwater drone programme, which state media claims is "defensive in nature." The Chinese embassy in London accused the UK of "provocative actions that destabilise the region." The British government rejected the criticism, insisting the pact is purely defensive.
Industry analysts note that the deal will also benefit British defence contractors, including BAE Systems and Babcock International, which are expected to compete for production contracts worth an estimated £2 billion over the next decade. The first joint exercises using the new drones are scheduled for early 2025 in the North Atlantic.
The partnership's long-term goal is to achieve "full seabed dominance" by 2030. This includes the ability to detect and neutralise enemy minefields, monitor underwater infrastructure, and deny hostile submarines safe haven.
In a separate development, the Royal Navy has accelerated plans to station a dedicated underwater drone squadron at HMNB Clyde by 2027. The unit will operate the new Manta, a British-designed autonomous vehicle capable of diving to 6,000 metres.
