The trilateral AUKUS partnership is “full steam ahead” with a new development under “Pillar Two”, while the US Secretary of War confirms military operations in Iran could “recommence” at a moment’s notice.
The trilateral AUKUS partnership is “full steam ahead” with a new development under “Pillar Two”, while the US Secretary of War confirms military operations in Iran could “recommence” if a deal is not reached.
On Saturday it was announced that Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom are working together on the development of unmanned undersea vehicles under AUKUS.
At the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier forum for defence leaders, militaries and diplomats, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the initiative alongside Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and UK Defence Secretary John Healey.
The AUKUS pact was described as the “most significant military partnership since NATO” by Defence Secretary Healey.
“But for too long … we talked too much and delivered too little that has now changed,” he said in Singapore.
“As President Trump has said, we are now full steam ahead on AUKUS.”
AUKUS said in a joint statement that delivery of the vehicles will start in 2027.
The programme will improve the three nations’ reconnaissance and strike capabilities, and “bolster superiority in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare”.
The pact will include mine countermeasures, electronic warfare, and “contested littoral manoeuvre,” the statement added.
The programme comes under AUKUS’ “Pillar Two” to develop advanced defence technology including quantum computing, undersea, hypersonic, artificial intelligence and cyber technology.
AUKUS represents the biggest leap in Australia's military capability in more than a century and we are delivering it alongside our close partners — the United States and the United Kingdom.
Great to meet with Secretary Hegseth and Secretary Healey in Singapore for our AUKUS… pic.twitter.com/elpf42kffC
Hegseth said the “signature project” will deliver a “suite of highly adaptable multi-mission UUV payloads” designed to support undersea operations and maintain the parties’ collective advantage in the maritime domain.
The Secretary of War also thanked Australia for being “willing to help” 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,” he said.
“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 breath, Hegseth confirmed the United States was ready to “recommence” its attack on Iran if a deal cannot be reached, as negotiators from Washington and Tehran worked to bridge major differences blocking an agreement.
“Our ability to recommence if necessary … we are more than capable,” Hegseth said in Singapore.
Hegseth said US weapons stockpiles were “more than suited for that”, both in Iran and around the world.
“So we’re in a very good place,” he said.
Hegseth said the US has not turned its back on the Asia-Pacific region despite being engaged in conflict with Iran.
“We can do two things at one time. We’re super-charging our defence industrial base so that we’re building 2X, 3X, 4X the munitions very soon to ensure that all of our (operations) plans are properly funded throughout the world,” he said.
The Pentagon chief said President Donald Trump was “patient” and wants to make a “great deal” that ensures Iran does not get a nuclear weapon.
On Friday, President Trump said he would meet in a secure White House room to make a “final determination” on a proposal to end the Iran war, which would extend an early-April truce for another 60 days, giving 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 caused global economic pain by pushing up energy prices due to Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
–with Reuters
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