As China rapidly expands its naval power, Australia is responding with a different strategy: small, autonomous submarines.
These unmanned underwater vehicles are designed to operate quietly and independently, gathering intelligence and monitoring strategic areas. Their small size and stealth make them extremely difficult to detect.
Unlike traditional submarines, these systems are cheaper and scalable, allowing deployment in larger numbers. This creates a distributed underwater network that is harder to counter.
Rather than matching China ship-for-ship, Australia is focusing on smart, autonomous systems to gain a strategic advantage below the surface.