Following the news that Australia is in talks with defense manufacturer Anduril industries to procure autonomous underwater vehicles;

William Davies, Associate Defense Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:

“Australia’s potential acquisition of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) will bolster its growing naval capabilities and will likely be designed to operate in tandem with its future nuclear submarines. The program is forecast to take three years, and production will be carried out domestically and will be designed in collaboration with the Australian navy and may be designed to carry out surveillance operations or anti-submarine warfare.

“The program, if agreed, will have the added bonus of boosting the Australian workforce capability by training personnel in autonomous vehicle design and building, and will involve partnerships with other Australian companies and institutions.

“Whilst the specifications that Australia is requesting are unknown, Anduril executives have confirmed that the capabilities will include seabed mapping, as well as mine countermeasure capabilities. Australia has noted that these vessels are being developed as a measure to strengthen Australia’s naval capability until the arrival of nuclear submarines, indicating that they will be utilized to support Australia’s strategic goals with regards to resisting Chinese influence.”