Overview
- Defence Secretary John Healey unveiled the programme at Portsmouth, positioning it as a Strategic Defence Review priority responding to heightened Russian undersea activity including recent incidents involving the spy ship Yantar.
- Early funding totals £14 million in combined MoD and industry seed money this year, with private investment reported at a 4:1 ratio to public funds and 26 firms submitting sensor concepts.
- Ships, submarines, aircraft and uncrewed vessels will be linked by AI-powered acoustic sensors and a digital targeting web designed to speed detection, tracking and, if required, action across wide ocean areas.
- Demonstrators showcased include the Rattler uncrewed surface vessel, XV Excalibur extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle and the SG-1 Fathom glider, with industry participants such as Anduril, BAE Systems and Helsing.
- First Sea Lord Sir Gwyn Jenkins describes the service as “stretched” yet aiming to stay ahead, outlining a network spanning from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to the Norwegian Sea and aligning with deeper UK–Norway cooperation under the Lunna House framework.