Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States have announced the first AUKUS Pillar II signature project, marking a significant step forward in trilateral cooperation on advanced military capabilities.

The project will focus on developing cutting-edge payloads and enabling systems for uncrewed undersea vehicles (UUVs), with delivery starting in 2027.

Announced at the AUKUS Defence Ministers’ Meeting on May 30, 2026, the initiative reflects a shared commitment to accelerate the development and delivery of advanced capabilities across the three partner nations to meet near-term warfighting objectives. 

First Assistant Secretary Defence Trade, Regulation and AUKUS Advanced Capabilities David Nockels said the signature project will involve AUKUS partners working together to deliver advanced capabilities into the hands of the Australian Defence Force and trilateral militaries faster.

“The maritime domain is increasingly contested, with growing risks to critical infrastructure and the security of global trade,” he said. 

“This project demonstrates how AUKUS can deliver advanced capabilities at pace in response to those challenges.”

'This is a practical example of how AUKUS is delivering for our warfighters.'

The signature project will focus on the payloads and enabling systems carried by UUVs that can be deployed across AUKUS partners’ UUVs to support a range of missions. This includes to protect critical national seabed infrastructure, deploy cutting edge surveillance, reconnaissance and strike capabilities, conduct logistics operations, and bolster superiority in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, mine countermeasures, electronic warfare and contested littoral manoeuvre.

“These capabilities will enhance the effectiveness of AUKUS partners’ undersea forces and strengthen their ability to operate in and protect the maritime domain,” Mr Nockels said.

“A key part of this project is ensuring our systems work seamlessly with the United Kingdom and the United States, bolstering our shared commitment to regional stability, security and freedom of navigation.”

UUVs will act as a force multiplier, enhancing the agility, asymmetry and survivability of the ADF.

“This is a practical example of how AUKUS is delivering for our warfighters,” Mr Nockels said.

“It brings together the innovation, industrial capacity and expertise of all three nations to deliver capability that none of us could achieve alone.”

The project builds on longstanding cooperation between the three nations in the maritime domain and strengthens existing AUKUS efforts under both Pillar I and Pillar II.

Further information on AUKUS Pillar II is available here.