AUKUS Pillar II in action at Exercise Autonomous Warrior 2024

AUKUS partners have cooperated in the first large-scale demonstration of advanced capabilities during Exercise Autonomous Warrior 2024 in Jervis Bay, NSW. Over the past month, hundreds of uniformed personnel and industry participants from Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States have operated 30 asymmetric capabilities from across the three countries, representing the clearest demonstration yet of advanced technologies delivering combined effects in areas critical to future warfare. The Ghost Shark. Exercise Autonomous Warrior is the first Australian-based exercise under the AUKUS Pillar II Maritime Big Play initiative – a series of integrated trilateral experiments and exercises aimed at enhancing advanced capability development, improving interoperability, and increasing the sophistication and scale of autonomous systems in the maritime domain. AUKUS partners welcomed Japan as an observer of the Maritime Big Play series. The systems demonstrated during Exercise Autonomous Warrior will deliver strike capability and persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.  Advanced Australian-developed capabilities trialled included the long-range loitering strike glider OWL-B; the uncrewed surface vessel Bluebottle; the extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle Ghost Shark; and the large uncrewed underwater vehicle Speartooth. These technologies are at the forefront of local, leading-edge capabilities and demonstrate the government’s commitment to growing defence industry and innovation in Australia. The Maritime Autonomy Surface Testbed from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (UK), and Bluebottle from OCIUS (right). Through AUKUS Pillar II, three countries are working together to develop advanced capabilities, enhance deterrence and promote security in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, in support of the global-rules based order. Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles said: “Exercise Autonomous Warrior is an exciting and tangible demonstration of progress being made under AUKUS Pillar II. Pillar II is a generational opportunity for our three nations to harness and uplift our collective innovation enterprises and industrial bases, strengthen cooperation, and together deliver advanced capabilities across our defence forces.” Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said: “The Maritime Big Play stands to advance the development of cutting-edge maritime capabilities that provide strategic advantage and strengthen collaboration between AUKUS partners. This is another example of the ingenuity of Australia’s companies and innovators to partner with Defence to and reflects the Albanese Government’s commitment to investing in a defence future made in Australia.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]