(Press release)
July 23, 2025
Ministry of Defense
On July 16 and 17, the Ministry of Defense of Japan (JMOD) participated in the Talisman Sabre 25 held in Australia with the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, where they conducted an experimental exercise on maritime autonomous systems through underwater acoustic communications as part of efforts under AUKUS Pillar II.
It is the first-ever event for JMOD to participate in since maritime autonomous systems were announced as an initial area of cooperation for Japan at the “Joint Leaders Statement to Mark the Third Anniversary of AUKUS” and the “AUKUS statement” in September 2024 as part of efforts under AUKUS Pillar II except for the cases as an observer.
This experimental exercise is a part of Maritime Big Play as a joint project of maritime autonomous systems under AUKUS Pillar II. They conducted demonstration tests on underwater acoustic communications among the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia and evaluated the interoperability of maritime autonomous systems at Jervis Bay, Australia.
Japan’s participation in an experimental exercise on maritime autonomous systems under AUKUS Pillar II (PDF)