AUKUS partners to turbocharge development of robotic, autonomous systems in 2026

February 9, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The AUKUS nations have decided to intensify efforts to accelerate the development and integration of robotic and autonomous maritime systems in 2026, building on last year’s successful trials and technology demonstrations.

As informed, the exercises fall under AUKUS Pillar II and its Maritime Big Play program, which sees Australia, the UK, and the United States rapidly test and integrate autonomous systems within the greater maritime forces.

As part of the AUKUS defence agreement, further exercises will take place over the next 12 months, including live training scenarios to reflect real-world operations.

Each activity is working towards a cohesive trilateral fleet of uncrewed systems by advancing a shared approach to command-and-control software and developing a baseline for using an autonomous kit.

Furthermore, this year will see the nations continue to test and develop various technologies to support anti-submarine warfare, maritime strike, and seabed warfare.

Focal points for 2026 include:

A shared approach to command-and-control software that will create a common system for managing the increasing scale and diversity of maritime uncrewed systems, to improve how the nations collaborate, reduce duplication and make operations more efficient.
Adopting an autonomous baseline to provide a common approach between the AUKUS nations.
Developing an AUKUS test and reference environment that will allow the nations to simulate real-world operations using advanced tools.

“Maritime Big Play is enabling AUKUS nations to turbo charge the development of robotic and autonomous systems. Working tri-laterally brings together expertise from across the three nations and accelerates the readiness of these technologies to be incorporated within our forces,” Capt Keith Taylor, Maritime Big Play Senior Responsible Officer for the Royal Navy, said.

2025 exercises

A series of exercises held in 2025 laid the foundation for this year and increased operational experimentation across the three nations. It saw trials take place in Australia, Poland, Portugal and the United States.

During Exercise Talisman Sabre, an extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle located in the UK was remotely operated by personnel based in Australia – demonstrating AUKUS ability to assume command of each other’s assets from across the world.

Meanwhile, at REPMUS in Portugal, personnel tested various command and control situations for a range of crewless systems which provide the building blocks for introducing new technology for operations.

Over the summer, AUKUS partners and Japan tested a secure communications pathway to remotely launch an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) from thousands of kilometres away. Once airborne, the UAS collected targeting data, strengthening the situational awareness of AUKUS partners and Japan.

During the Coalition Warrior Interoperability Exercise (CWIX), Royal Navy personnel were involved in trials to advance data-sharing technologies that aim to improve communication and awareness when coordinating crewed and uncrewed assets with other nations.

To remind, last year the UK and Australia signed ‘historic’ 50-year Geelong Treaty for the SSN-AUKUS program. Partners noted that the treaty will enable comprehensive cooperation on the design, build, operation, sustainment, and disposal of our SSN-AUKUS submarines.