At the AUKUS (Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States) Defence Ministers’ meeting on 30 May 2026, AUKUS partners announced the first Pillar II signature project: cutting-edge payloads and enabling systems for AUKUS partners’ uncrewed undersea vehicles (UUVs). 

With delivery starting in 2027, this project focuses on the advanced technologies carried by the UUVs and how they work effectively with AUKUS partners. These capabilities represent the most advanced maritime innovation and technology available across AUKUS partners, and demonstrate how AUKUS can deliver advanced capabilities at pace to reinforce partners’ collective deterrence efforts and superiority in the maritime domain.

The announcement of the first Pillar II signature project reflects the maturity and momentum of AUKUS, and the shared commitment of all 3 nations to deepen long-term capability cooperation and interoperability.

About AUKUS Pillar II

AUKUS is a technology and capability-sharing partnership, under which there are 2 pillars:

• Australia's acquisition of a conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability (Pillar I)
• The development and delivery of advanced capabilities (Pillar II).

The mission for AUKUS Pillar II is to accelerate the development and delivery of advanced capabilities, with a particular focus on near-term warfighting objectives. Collectively, the capabilities developed under Pillar II will make AUKUS militaries better able to operate together. This strengthens the individual and collective capabilities of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. It also supports the Australian 2026 National Defence Strategy and 2026 Integrated Investment Program, which aims to strengthen Australia’s capacity to protect and defend the nation and interests in a more dangerous and unpredictable world.

Australia’s transparent investment in defence capability, including through AUKUS, ensures the country remains a reliable security partner for the region.

Aims and priorities

AUKUS Pillar II is generating military advantage by converting cutting-edge advanced technology into timely, relevant military capabilities. It is focused on those requirements that AUKUS militaries need to operate together by leveraging cutting-edge technologies in:

• quantum
• advanced cyber
• electronic warfare
• undersea warfare
• autonomy and artificial intelligence
• hypersonics and counter-hypersonics.

AUKUS partners are bolstering industry, innovation, and capability ecosystems that are fast-tracking capability development for rapid deployment to the field.