Navy: Unmanned Marine Systems
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Box 12 page 105 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, what (a) uncrewed surface vessels and (b) uncrewed underwater vehicles are currently in operational service with the Royal Navy.
Answered by Luke Pollard
As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review 2025, Atlantic Bastion is the Royal Navy’s plan to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO against the persistent and growing underwater threat posed by a modernising Russian submarine force. The UK’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities are central to European defence and vital to meeting the Alliance’s evolving needs.
To support this, the Royal Navy will deploy a Type 26 ASW frigate force, designed to operate both uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs). The Navy is accelerating the integration of these systems, building on its existing wide range of uncrewed capabilities.
For operational security reasons, details of USVs and UUVs currently in active service are not publicly disclosed.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →