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The British drone Blue Bear Ghost is seen on the ground during the demonstration. Photo/Ministry of Defence UK
WASHINGTON – The United States (US), United Kingdom, and Australia showcase swarms of new artificial intelligence (AI) powered drones.
The move marks the first time collaboration on autonomous drone (UAV) technology between members of the AUKUS security pact, which officials describe as a way to counter China.
“The Allies conducted a three-way capability trial late last month in Wiltshire, England, where they achieved in-flight collaborative model retraining and AI model exchange between AUKUS countries for the first time,” the US military report said.
“The work sees the initial deployment of joint Australian, British and US AI-enabled assets in a collaborative swarm to detect and track military targets in a representative environment in real time,” the Pentagon said Friday.
Formed in 2021 as a way to deter China in the Indo-Pacific region, the AUKUS pact has repeatedly drawn criticism from Beijing.
Under “Pillar I” of the deal, the United States pledged to provide nuclear submarine technology to Australia “as early as possible.”
Organized by the UK’s Defense Science and Technology Laboratory, the drone test was carried out as part of the “Pillar II” of the AUKUS partnership, which calls for “joint development and provision of advanced military capabilities” between the three allies to “enhance security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”
China’s foreign ministry said the new military initiative would only “motivate an arms race, undermine the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and endanger regional stability and peace.”
Beijing urged the three members to stop “ignoring the concerns of the international community.”
