The UK has unveiled a major new undersea defence programme designed to counter growing Russian submarine activity in the North Atlantic, marking what ministers describe as the most
significant transformation of the Royal Navy’s submarine-hunting capability in decades.
Defence Secretary John Healey revealed early-stage work on the £multi-million 'Atlantic Bastion' programme during a visit to HM Naval Base Portsmouth on Monday. The project will combine autonomous surface and underwater vessels, artificial intelligence, warships and maritime patrol aircraft to protect vital undersea cables and pipelines.
The announcement comes amid heightened concern over Russian underwater operations, including the recent detection of the Russian spy ship *Yantar* operating near UK waters. UK Defence Intelligence has warned that Moscow is modernising its fleet to target critical seabed infrastructure.
Officials say Atlantic Bastion will create an advanced “hybrid” naval force capable of detecting, tracking and, if necessary, engaging hostile submarines across vast areas of the North Atlantic. The system will link ships, submarines, aircraft and unmanned platforms through AI-powered acoustic sensors and a digital targeting network, allowing faster battlefield decisions.
Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said: “People should be in no doubt of the new threats facing the UK and our allies under the sea, where adversaries are targeting infrastructure that is so critical to our way of life. This new era of threat demands a new era for defence, and we must rapidly innovate at a wartime pace to maintain the battlefield edge as we deliver on the Strategic Defence Review.
Our pioneering Atlantic Bastion programme is a blueprint for the future of the Royal Navy. It combines the latest autonomous and AI technologies with world-class warships and aircraft to create a highly advanced hybrid fighting force to detect, deter and defeat those who threaten us”.
The Ministry of Defence has already committed £14 million this year to early development and testing of advanced anti-submarine sensor technology. Industry response has been strong, with 26 firms from the UK and Europe submitting proposals and 20 companies already demonstrating prototype systems. Public investment has so far been matched by private funding at a ratio of four to one.
Successful firms will now move into the next phase of development, with early capabilities expected to be deployed at sea next year. Further investment is planned to accelerate the programme.
The launch of Atlantic Bastion aligns with the Government’s Strategic Defence Review, which identified the maritime domain as increasingly vulnerable and maritime security as a national priority. Ministers say the programme also supports economic growth, with the global hybrid navy sector estimated to be worth £350 billion and capable of generating thousands of skilled jobs in the UK.
Dr Rich Drake, Managing Director of Anduril UK said:
“The government has called upon industry to create the modern warfighter. We have designed Seabed Sentry in the UK in partnership with other British companies to deliver for our Armed Forces and protect allied waters from increasingly hostile actors. We are investing in British talent, in British technology and in Britain’s tomorrow. Anduril UK stands ready to defend British interests”.
Scott Jamieson, Managing Director of BAE Systems Defence Solutions, said:
“Autonomy represents a transformative opportunity to redefine how operations are conducted above and below the waves.
That is exactly why we developed Herne, the UK’s first autonomous extra large submarine for military use and its fully autonomous military control system, Nautomate. They deliver enhanced tactical flexibility, enable data-driven mission decisions and scale operations in ways that were previously unimaginable”.
Amelia Gould, General Manager Maritime at Helsing said:
“Helsing has recognised the UK’s leadership in Maritime Defence innovation and deepened our commitment to the UK through our world leading AI and software centre in London and our newly opened Resilience Factory in Plymouth.
Through self-funded development and UK-based trials of SG-1 Fathom and Lura, we have demonstrated the power of advanced AI and autonomy to change the game in the underwater battle space. As Europe’s leading Defence Technology company, Helsing is ready to play a leading role in Atlantic Bastion and create a sea drone wall to protect NATO”. Photo: Harland Quarrington/MOD, Wikimedia commons.