UK to spend £150m on underwater drones as Russia tensions mount | UK | News

Britain is set to spend £150 million on underwater drones for the Royal Navy amid growing fears about the threat posed by Russia. Reports suggest that drones could be used to clear mines or protect important undersea infrastructure.

The Navy announced in August that it was testing the use of crewless and autonomous technology to protect underwater infrastructure during trials off the coast of Australia. Concerns about the vulnerability of UK and Western submarine cables and pipes have increased following a series of incidents in the Baltic Sea. Up to 24 drones will initially be purchased by the Department of Defense, according to a new contract announcement.

However, more drones may be purchased in addition to this in the future, Telegram reports.

It’s unclear what type of drone was being tracked.

It is stated that the contract price could cost up to £6 million for each drone and that the purchase will be part of the Navy’s mine hunting capability programme.

The Telegraph reported that the main focus of the drones will be detecting underwater mines in war zones.

A defense source told the newspaper: “We are calling on the defense sector to bring its best innovations to ensure Royal Navy sailors have the most advanced underwater technology ready to be deployed from the North Sea to NATO operations.”

It arrives just days after specialist minehunting vessel HMS Stirling Castle set sail for her first sea trials as a Royal Navy warship.

The ship was previously part of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Force but was transferred to the Navy in July. This is the first mine countermeasure mothership purchased to provide a floating base for autonomous technology.

The Navy is increasingly turning to unmanned aerial vehicles for anti-mine missions. Many of the conventional mine countermeasure ships are planned to be retired in the coming years. Britain’s first ship to detect and destroy naval mines, Ariadne, was delivered to the Navy in March.