Aukus: US, UK and Australia to develop underwater drone technology

Healey also said that sensors and weapons systems would be developed for the UUVs, which would “rapidly give our forces advanced battle technologies”.

It would also help them deal with threats “including to our underwater cables and pipelines on which so much of our daily life depends”. Such efforts would strengthen deterrence in the Pacific, Atlantic and waters in the High North, he added.

The announcement comes a month after Healey accused Russia of running a covert operation over cables and pipelines in waters north of the UK. Moscow has denied the allegations.