Australia and U.S. Test How Underwater Drones Could Keep Warships Moving Through Mined Sea Lanes.

Australia, New Zealand and the United States have completed a multinational naval exercise off Australia's eastern coast, combining autonomous underwater vehicles with traditional mine countermeasure capabilities to improve the detection and neutralization of underwater threats. The Royal Australian Navy-led exercise brought together more than 350 personnel in the Jervis Bay area to strengthen cooperation in mine warfare, clearance diving and seabed operations.

An underwater demolition exercise during Exercise Dugong 2026 in Pittwater, NSW. (Picture source: Australian Navy)

Three Allied Navies Combine Mine Warfare Capabilities

Led by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the biennial exercise brought together Australian, New Zealand and U.S. naval specialists responsible for identifying underwater hazards, conducting explosive ordnance disposal and maintaining access to contested maritime areas. Beyond conventional mine clearance, the training integrated underwater reconnaissance and military geospatial support, reflecting the importance of seabed security in modern naval operations.

According to a statement published by the Australian Department of Defence on October 28, 2026, Exercise Dugong 2026 involved eight autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), alongside surface vessels and specialist clearance diving teams. Participating forces included the Australian minehunter HMAS Yarra and New Zealand's HMNZS Matataua littoral warfare unit. The exercise focused on improving coordination between different naval capabilities while preparing participating forces to operate in increasingly complex maritime environments.

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Strengthen Mine Detection Capabilities

HMAS Yarra, a Huon-class coastal minehunter, provides the Royal Australian Navy with a specialized mine countermeasure capability built around underwater detection systems and remotely operated equipment. The 52.5-meter vessel displaces approximately 732 tonnes and features a low-magnetic-signature hull designed to reduce its vulnerability when operating in waters potentially containing naval mines.

The ship is equipped with a GEC-Marconi Type 2093 variable-depth sonar capable of detecting underwater contacts at distances exceeding 1,000 meters. Once a suspected mine is located, HMAS Yarra can maintain a safe distance while deploying specialized equipment or clearance divers to investigate the threat.

The minehunter also operates Saab Double Eagle Mk II remotely operated underwater vehicles, which use cameras and identification sonar to examine submerged objects. Unlike autonomous underwater vehicles, these systems remain controlled by operators aboard the ship through a fiber-optic connection. They can support mine identification and disposal operations, complementing the underwater search capabilities provided by autonomous platforms.

Although Australian authorities have not specified the individual models or sensor configurations of the eight AUVs participating in Dugong, their integration allows naval forces to distribute reconnaissance tasks across multiple assets. This approach can reduce the exposure of crewed vessels to potential minefields while extending underwater search operations.

Allied Navies Improve Operations in Contested Coastal Waters

The importance of mine countermeasure capabilities has been demonstrated in the Strait of Hormuz, where mines laid by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps complicated maritime navigation and required a U.S. clearance operation in 2026. In April, U.S. Central Command began efforts to establish safe passages, with underwater drones among the assets assigned to support the mission. By August, American commanders reported that mines had been cleared from internationally recognized transit routes, following months of operations involving Navy divers, SEALs and aircraft.

Similar challenges could arise in the Indo-Pacific, particularly around Taiwan and the South China Sea, where naval forces could encounter moored, bottom or influence mines intended to restrict access to ports and maritime passages. For the United States, cooperation with Australia and New Zealand provides access to experienced specialists and supports coordination between allied forces. These relationships build on longstanding defense cooperation, including the ANZUS framework, although Washington's security relationship with Wellington no longer operates under the original trilateral arrangements.

Combining autonomous underwater vehicles, specialized sonar systems and clearance divers allows naval forces to conduct search, identification and disposal operations while limiting unnecessary exposure of personnel. Autonomous platforms can survey potentially hazardous areas, while remotely operated systems and specialist divers investigate contacts requiring closer examination. This layered approach provides commanders with additional information before deploying surface vessels into contested waters.

Interoperability represents another central objective of Dugong. Mine warfare operations require accurate exchanges of contact positions, seabed information and clearance assessments between participating units. Exercise Director Captain Scott Craig emphasized the importance of integrating emerging technologies with existing capabilities to prepare for future maritime challenges. The exercise also coincides with the 75th anniversary of Australia's naval clearance diving capability, established in 1951. Despite the increasing use of autonomous systems, specialist diving teams remain essential for underwater inspections and explosive ordnance disposal.

Indo-Pacific Maritime Security Depends on Underwater Access

Dugong 2026 also comes as Australia reshapes its mine countermeasure fleet, progressively moving from dedicated minehunting ships toward autonomous systems deployed from different platforms. This transition, confirmed by Royal Australian Navy Chief Vice Admiral Matt Buckley in October 2026, makes allied exercises particularly relevant as future operations increasingly depend on integrating equipment operated by different forces.

For Washington, deploying mine clearance teams alongside Australian and New Zealand units offers greater flexibility in supporting naval operations across the Pacific without relying exclusively on U.S. assets. Beyond the exercise itself, this cooperation could provide a foundation for more distributed mine countermeasure operations, allowing the three navies to support larger multinational deployments while adapting to an environment where access to critical waterways can no longer be taken for granted.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests include security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.

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