UK Defence Journal

By George Allison

30 September 2024

Source: https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/aukus-nations-to-integrate-uk-torpedo-to-p-8-sub-hunters/

In a development under the AUKUS defence partnership, the UK, US, and Australia have agreed to integrate the UK’s Sting Ray torpedoes onto P-8A submarine-hunting aircraft.

This decision strengthens the alliance’s collective anti-submarine capabilities, enhancing their ability to counter emerging maritime.

A Royal Navy announcement stated:

“AUKUS teams have been involved in this autumn’s major test of military autonomous systems in the air, on land and at sea hosted by the Portuguese, while Australia is about to host the second of its similar exercises.

The nations also agreed to follow the UK’s lead by integrating Sting Ray torpedoes onto P8-A submarine-hunting aircraft. Sting Ray – which is about to undergo a multimillion-pound upgrade to deal with the latest submarine threats – is the principal anti-submarine weapon of the Fleet Air Arm.”

The Sting Ray torpedo, already a mainstay of the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine defences, is set to undergo a multi-million-pound upgrade to ensure it can handle the latest submarine threats. 

The weapon is the primary anti-submarine tool used by the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm and Surface Fleet. Its integration onto the P-8A Poseidon aircraft — which is operated by all three AUKUS nations — will enhance the fleet’s ability to detect and engage underwater targets.

The agreement was discussed as part of a broader AUKUS meeting at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, where Defence Secretaries and Ministers from the UK, US, and Australia met to strengthen their cooperation.

Alongside this technological development, training remains a core aspect of the AUKUS alliance. To date, 250 Australian personnel have been trained in nuclear-powered submarine operations by the Royal Navy, with three Royal Australian Navy (RAN) officers recently completing the UK’s Nuclear Reactor course.

A second group of Australian officers is set to begin training at HMS Sultan in November.

AUKUS cooperation also extends to joint military exercises. This autumn, teams from the three nations participated in trials of autonomous systems across air, land, and sea, hosted by Portugal. 

Similar exercises will be held in Australia, where the Royal Navy has previously participated with its divers, mine warfare experts, and the patrol ship HMS Tamar.