The trilateral AUKUS partnership is moving forward with a new development under Pillar Two, while the US Secretary of War has confirmed that military operations in Iran could recommence if a diplomatic deal is not reached.
AUKUS Advances with Unmanned Undersea Vehicles
On Saturday, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom announced a joint effort to develop unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) under the AUKUS pact. The announcement was made at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia's premier defence forum, by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, and UK Defence Secretary John Healey.
Defence Secretary Healey described AUKUS as the most significant military partnership since NATO. He added, “For too long, we talked too much and delivered too little. That has now changed. As President Trump has said, we are now full steam ahead on AUKUS.”
AUKUS stated in a joint release that delivery of the vehicles will commence in 2027. The programme aims to enhance the three nations' reconnaissance and strike capabilities, as well as bolster superiority in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. The pact will also include mine countermeasures, electronic warfare, and contested littoral manoeuvre capabilities. This initiative falls under AUKUS Pillar Two, which focuses on advanced defence technologies such as quantum computing, undersea systems, hypersonics, artificial intelligence, and cyber technology.
Secretary Hegseth emphasised that this signature project will deliver a suite of highly adaptable multi-mission UUV payloads to support undersea operations and maintain the partners’ collective advantage in the maritime domain.
US Thanks Australia for Iran Support
Hegseth also thanked Australia for its willingness to assist the US in Iran. “When we’ve called Australia in this context, they’ve been willing to help with whatever assets they can provide, and we’re grateful for that. It’s in keeping with how Australia has been a strong partner of ours. The bulk of the weight has been an American effort, but we appreciate the support they’re providing.”
In the same address, Hegseth confirmed that the United States is prepared to recommence its attack on Iran if a deal cannot be reached. Negotiators from Washington and Tehran are working to bridge major differences blocking an agreement. “Our ability to recommence if necessary ... we are more than capable,” Hegseth said in Singapore. He added that US weapons stockpiles are more than suited for that purpose, both in Iran and around the world. “So we're in a very good place.”
Hegseth stressed that the US has not turned its back on the Asia-Pacific region despite its engagement in Iran. “We can do two things at one time. We're super-charging our defence industrial base so that we're building two, three, four times the munitions very soon to ensure that all of our operations plans are properly funded throughout the world.”
The Pentagon chief said President Donald Trump is patient and wants to make a great deal that ensures Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. On Friday, President Trump stated he would meet in a secure White House room to make a final determination on a proposal to end the Iran war. This proposal would extend an early-April truce for another 60 days, allowing negotiators time to forge a permanent end to the conflict.
The war launched by the US and Israel on February 28 has killed thousands of people, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, and has caused global economic pain by pushing up energy prices due to Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
