AUKUS partners unveil plan for underwater dronesunderwater drones
The United States, Britain and Australia unveiled a plan to develop unmanned undersea vehicles during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 30.
The project is part of the AUKUS security pact’s technology-sharing work and is meant to strengthen allied naval capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.
- AUKUS originally drew global attention for plans to help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
- Singapore hosts the Shangri-La Dialogue because it is a neutral hub for regional security talks.
- Undersea drones can be useful for mine hunting, intelligence gathering and protecting submarine routes.
US-China Indo-Pacific Rivalry
China and Taiwan coast guard vessels have repeatedly faced off near the Pratas Islands, with the latest standoff showing how small maritime incidents around Taiwan can quickly become confrontations.[1][5] The episode adds to wider U.S.-China military tension across the Indo-Pacific, where Beijing is expanding patrols and Washington is reinforcing regional deterrence.[2][3] The rivalry now centers on preventing miscalculation around Taiwan, the South China Sea, and nearby sea lanes.[1][3][5] It also shapes defense planning by Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States as all sides weigh coercion, sovereignty claims, and the risk of escalation.[2][3]
24 May, 07:39 AM
Taiwan and China coast guards face off near Pratas islands1 January
The United States adopts a sharper great-power competition strategy focused on China
