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Unmanned Marine Systems

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 9 September 2025UIN 74144

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the United States Navy’s Modular Autonomous Surface Craft programme on future (a) Royal Navy fleet operations and (b) US Navy interoperability.

Answered by Luke Pollard

The Royal Navy is working at pace to understand the implications of the Modular Autonomous Surface Craft programme. The developing plan indicates that the Future Navy will require a mixed force of crewed and uncrewed vessels, and distributed commando teams, each carrying modular, reconfigurable technology to defeat threats above, on, and beneath the waves and ashore.

The Royal Navy and US Navy have a close working relationship within the 'Delivering Combined Seapower' framework and these close links ensure that both forces continue to progress their improved interoperability. Our combined work on NATO capability initiatives likewise ensures future interoperability with other Allied Navies.

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