AUKUS allies boost undersea defence operations

From 2027 Australia will host a US submarine rotational force at HMAS Stirling under the AUKUS partnership, deploying up to four Virginia‑class attack submarines to support the development of Australia’s future nuclear‑powered submarine capability.

In parallel, the Royal Navy conducted a six‑week seabed defence exercise with US and Australian counterparts, testing uncrewed and autonomous systems such as the VideoRay Defender ROV and the Teledyne Gavia autonomous underwater vehicle. The trial, called Exercise Lanternfish, covered waters off southwestern Australia and sites in the United States, aiming to protect critical undersea infrastructure and improve joint response to threats, including recent Russian submarine activity near UK waters.

Both initiatives illustrate deeper naval integration among the AUKUS allies and a focus on countering emerging undersea security challenges.