The three partner nations have unveiled a significant new defense pact.
The US, UK, and Australia have initiated a program under their AUKUS alliance to expedite the testing and deployment of hypersonic missiles and related technologies.
Established in 2021, the AUKUS security partnership includes Pillar I, focusing on nuclear-powered submarines for Australia with US and UK assistance, and Pillar II, a broader technology-sharing agreement potentially involving other nations.
On Monday, the US, Australia, and the UK simultaneously announced a new initiative under Pillar II: the Hypersonic Flight Test and Experimentation (HyFliTE) Project Arrangement (PA).
HyFliTE will involve up to six joint test launches by 2028, with a combined budget of $252 million. Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Pete Nguyen stated the initiative aims to accelerate testing by leveraging shared resources and facilities.
“We are enhancing our combined capacity to develop and deploy offensive and defensive hypersonic technologies through a series of trilateral tests and experiments that will speed up the development of hypersonic concepts and crucial supporting technologies,” said Heidi Shyu, US Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
The US and UK currently trail Russia and China in hypersonic weapons development. Russia’s Kh-47 Kinzhal entered service in 2017, while China deployed its DF-ZF two years later. Russia’s Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles and Zircon anti-ship missiles have also been deployed.
Both Kinzhal and Zircon missiles have been used in Ukraine, making Russia the first nation to use hypersonic missiles in combat. Last month, Iran also claimed first-time hypersonic missile use in strikes on Israel.
The US achieved its first successful hypersonic missile test in 2017 but hasn’t fielded such a weapon. Britain aims to deploy its first hypersonic cruise missile by 2030. Australia has also collaborated with the US on hypersonic projects for over 15 years.
The new initiative will involve over 90 suppliers from AUKUS nations and EU allies, with potential commercial value of up to £1 billion ($1.27 billion), according to London.
“This collaboration will maintain our advantage over adversaries, strengthen our collective security, and contribute to peace and stability in a challenging global landscape,” said UK Defence Secretary John Healey, calling it a “landmark arrangement” placing the bloc at the “forefront of battle-winning defense technology.”
Australia called the HyFliTE agreement a “milestone” reflecting “unprecedented collaboration,” stating the joint test launches will “accelerate the development of hypersonic concepts and critical enabling technologies.”
The HyFliTE announcements didn’t specify the technologies to be tested.