Unmanned attack boats gain ground as future of naval warfare

If tensions escalate further between the United States, Israel, and Iran, unmanned attack boats could play an increasingly prominent role. These vessels are gaining recognition not only as a future pillar of naval warfare but also as versatile platforms suited for missions such as search and rescue and offshore security.

Kraken, a rapidly growing British defence company, has highlighted this shift in comments to Modern Diplomacy, pointing to rising demand for autonomous maritime systems.

The company has secured a contract to supply 20 small attack boats to the Royal Navy and has also reached agreements with US Special Operations Command. Backed by venture capital, Kraken is part of a broader wave of firms developing autonomous attack craft for potential flashpoints, including a Chinese move on Taiwan or NATO operations in the Baltic region.

Kraken produces a range of unmanned vessels, with its 8.5-meter Scout Medium among the most in demand, though the company has not confirmed whether any of its systems have been deployed in active theaters such as the Middle East or the Black Sea.

The United States military has already experimented with similar platforms, including the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft, in Gulf operations. US Central Command has been testing unmanned vessels for years, while European forces have advanced their capabilities through NATO’s Task Force X-Baltic. These systems — whether remotely operated or fully autonomous — can carry both surveillance equipment and weapons, underscoring the rapid transformation of naval warfare.

However, operational challenges remain. Heavy electronic jamming in conflict zones such as Ukraine and the Gulf has complicated the use of remotely piloted systems, accelerating the shift toward fully autonomous vessels that do not rely on constant communication links. Reports suggest that recent trials of such systems have encountered technical difficulties, reflecting the complexity of operating in highly contested environments.

The British Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Lyme Bay is expected to deploy drones for mine-clearing operations in the Gulf once conditions are deemed safe in the aftermath of a lasting ceasefire. If carried out, the mission would highlight both the evolving role of unmanned systems and the shrinking number of deployable warships in the UK fleet.

Despite growing interest, experts caution that unmanned boats are unlikely to fully replace traditional naval vessels. While recent shows of force — including large-scale naval deployments — underline the enduring power of conventional fleets, commanders have generally kept unmanned systems away from the most intense combat zones to limit risks.

Kraken says it can produce up to 500 remotely operated vessels this year, with plans to double output by 2027 through partnerships with shipyards in Germany and the Pacific. Founder Mal Crease aims to build a leading offshore systems manufacturer, drawing on experience from Formula One and high-performance marine engineering.

The company relies on modular construction, assembling vessels in a manner similar to supercar production, enabling rapid scaling. Still, uncertainty over UK defence spending — particularly debates around the Defence Investment Plan — could influence future growth.

More broadly, the rise of firms like Kraken reflects a shift in the defence industry. Unlike traditional contractors such as Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems, which are known for lengthy development cycles and high costs, newer entrants emphasize speed, flexibility, and affordability.

Many of these companies employ former military personnel and are actively engaging with international clients, including Ukraine, where such technologies are both deployed and produced. As stockpiles of conventional weapons like Tomahawk and Patriot missiles face pressure, drone manufacturers are scaling up production to unprecedented levels — signalling a broader transformation in modern warfare.

By Nazrin Sadigova