SINGAPORE: The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia are working together to build unmanned underwater vehicles under their AUKUS defense agreement, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on May 30.

In a joint statement, AUKUS said these vehicles will start being delivered in 2027.

The program is meant to strengthen the three countries' ability to gather information and carry out attacks. It will also improve their strength in areas like anti-submarine and surface warfare, mine clearing, electronic warfare, and operations in coastal areas.

This project is part of AUKUS's "Pillar Two," which focuses on developing advanced military technologies such as quantum computing, undersea systems, hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, and cyber tools.

Hegseth said the project will provide flexible, multi-purpose underwater drone systems to support operations at sea and help maintain their advantage in maritime security.

AUKUS was created in 2021 as part of efforts by the three countries to counter China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

China has criticized the pact, calling it risky and warning that it could lead to an arms race in the region.

UK Defense Secretary John Healey said the project will quickly give their forces some of the most advanced battlefield technologies, including modern sensors and weapons for underwater drones.

He also said these vehicles will improve their ability to respond to threats, such as attacks on underwater cables and pipelines.

Healey added that in the past, AUKUS had focused too much on discussions and not enough on action.