The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have announced a collaborative project to develop advanced underwater drone technology, aimed at protecting critical seabed infrastructure and enhancing military capabilities across various regions. This initiative is the first significant undertaking under AUKUS Pillar Two, which emphasizes advanced defense technologies. The new uncrewed undersea vehicles will be equipped with sophisticated payloads, sensors, and weapons systems, designed to support a range of missions including surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strikes. UK Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed a £150 million (approximately $201 million) investment in the project, addressing previous criticisms about the alliance's slow progress. The technology is intended to secure underwater assets vital for global communications and energy networks, particularly amid rising concerns over damaged seabed infrastructure in Europe and Asia. The AUKUS partnership, formed in 2021, aims to deepen military cooperation, including the development of nuclear-powered submarines, with the first of these expected to be operational in the 2040s.