Underwater Security Push at Shangri-La: US, UK and Australia unveiled AUKUS “Pillar Two” plans to develop cutting-edge underwater drone tech, with first capabilities aimed as early as next year and deliveries starting in 2027, framed as protection for seabed infrastructure and maritime surveillance/strike. Critical Underwater Infrastructure Framework: Malaysia, Singapore and 15 other countries launched GUIDE, a principles-based framework to strengthen defence exchanges for critical underwater infrastructure, with Singapore warning that disruptions to undersea networks can cascade across energy and telecoms. Hormuz Tensions, Fees and Control: Qatar opposed permanent Strait of Hormuz transit tolls as they would raise prices for consumers, but said temporary, security-linked fees are “negotiable”; meanwhile Iran reiterated it controls passage via designated routes and IRGC authorisation, warning violations will jeopardise traffic. US-Iran Brinkmanship: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US is “more than capable” of resuming war with Iran if talks fail, as Trump weighs a “final determination” on a potential ceasefire/strait framework. Regional Defence Deals: India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said the BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam is signed, while Indonesia’s is in final stages. Singapore Diplomacy: Singapore President Tharman met Qatar’s deputy PM/defence minister Sheikh Saoud, and Singapore’s PM Wong met the same defence minister on the Shangri-La sidelines, focusing on regional security coordination. China’s Low Profile: China’s defence delegation at Shangri-La was smaller and more academic, with analysts reading the absence of its defence minister as a signal amid US-China rivalry.