AUKUS Tests Underwater Drones in Largest Joint Naval Demo

Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom have completed their largest demonstration of interoperable maritime autonomous systems under the AUKUS security partnership, testing advanced underwater drones and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

The three-week Maritime Big Play Pacific exercise took place around San Diego, California, bringing together military personnel, defense scientists and industry partners from all three countries.

Australia's Department of Defence announced the results on November 9, describing the demonstration as a major step toward integrating autonomous platforms into joint naval operations.

The exercise involved large uncrewed underwater vehicles, autonomous surface vessels and aerial platforms operating together in realistic military scenarios.

Participating forces conducted intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, simulated resupply operations in contested environments, established an anti-submarine warfare barrier and tested underwater combat technologies.

The demonstration also highlighted advances in acoustic communications, allowing autonomous systems to coordinate across greater distances beneath the surface.

According to the Royal Navy, more than 40 government and industry technologies were showcased during the exercise.

The activity marked the culmination of three years of joint experimentation under the AUKUS Maritime Big Play initiative.

Australia is separately investing up to A$5.8 billion over the decade in autonomous underwater warfare capabilities, including A$1.7 billion for a fleet of domestically developed Ghost Shark underwater vehicles.

The exercise falls under AUKUS Pillar II, which focuses on advanced defense technologies rather than the partnership's separate nuclear-powered submarine acquisition program.

Officials say the initiative is intended to improve interoperability, maritime surveillance and deterrence across the Indo-Pacific.