AUKUS: Morrison, Biden and Johnson flag futuristic new defence tech

Hypersonic missiles, quantum computing, and cyberwarfare capabilities are all on the cards after a meeting between Scott Morrison, Joe Biden and Boris Johnson.

Australia will have access to not only nuclear subs but also futuristic hypersonic and counter-hypersonic missile technology, quantum computing, and advanced cyberwarfare capabilities after Prime Minister Scott Morrison met with his US and UK counterparts Tuesday.

At the meeting between Mr Morrison, US President Joe Biden, and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the three men said they were “pleased” with the progress of AUKUS so far and underlined the arrangement’s importance in light of what they called Russia’s “unprovoked, unjustified, and unlawful invasion of Ukraine.”

While originally conceived to give Australia access to nuclear powered subs, The Daily Telegraph also understands that the three leaders also agreed that their nations would work together to develop a series of other technologies to defend Australia and preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Among the new capabilities potentially being developed include autonomous underwater vehicles, cyber defence programs to protect critical infrastructure, and technologies to deploy and defend against a new generation of super-fast missiles.

This is in addition to the work being done to develop a pathway for Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines.

Test launch of hypersonic rocket at more than five times the speed of sound, Woomera, May 2016. Indicative of the type of technology that could be further developed through the AUKUS arrangement.

Hypersonic missile - Boeing X-51. Picture: US Air Force

The new nuclear-powered submarines will replace the Royal Australian Navy's existing Collins submarine fleet. (Photo by LSIS Leo Baumgartner/Australian Defence Force via Getty Images)

Since the announcement of AUKUS last September, a number of concrete steps have been taken including work to establish Australia’s existing capabilities, narrow down the likely location for an east coast submarine base, and formalise information sharing arrangements.

In a joint statement, the three leaders said that they were “pleased” with the progress made so far in helping Australia establish conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, President of the United States Joe Biden and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson formed the AUKUS alliance last September. Picture: Newswire/Gary Ramage

“We are fully committed to establishing a robust approach to sharing naval propulsion technology with Australia that strengthens the global non-proliferation regime,” the joint statement said.

“We also committed today to commence new trilateral co-operation on hypersonics and counter-hypersonics, and electronic warfare capabilities, as well as to expand information sharing and to deepen co-operation on defence innovation,” they continued.

“These initiatives will add to our existing efforts to deepen co-operation on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and additional undersea capabilities.

“As our work progresses on these and other critical defence and security capabilities, we will seek opportunities to engage allies and close partners.”