UK to acquire next-gen naval drones amid rising Russian threat

The United Kingdom (UK) will invest £150 million ($200 million) to acquire a new fleet of underwater drones designed for mine detection and protection of critical maritime infrastructure, as part of a major Royal Navy modernisation programme.

According to a recently published contract by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), an initial batch of up to 24 underwater drones will be procured, though additional units may be ordered later, The Telegraph reports.

The contract’s value indicates that each drone could cost around £6 million (over $8 million).

The advanced, uncrewed vessels are expected to play a central role in mine-clearing operations in conflict zones such as the Black Sea, particularly off the coast of Ukraine, as well as in protecting underwater cables and gas pipelines from potential sabotage.

This shift comes as the Royal Navy plans to retire most of its traditional mine-hunting ships this decade, replacing them with faster and more precise unmanned systems.

A defence source said: “Whether it’s hunting down deadly mines left by Putin’s forces or catching hostile activity near critical infrastructure, underwater drones are a vital part of modern warfare. We’re calling on the defence sector to bring their best innovations to ensure Royal Navy sailors have the most advanced underwater technology ready to deploy from the North Sea to Nato operations. This is putting the UK at the leading edge of defence innovation and delivering on our strategic defence review.”

The drones will primarily be used to covertly detect and neutralise mines in contested waters, addressing the widespread mine-laying witnessed during the Russia–Ukraine war.

They will also patrol UK and NATO-controlled waters for suspicious seabed activity amid growing concern over Russian vessels operating near sensitive installations.

By Jeyhun Aghazada