Mar 15, 2026 09:18 PM
https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/navy-t...ck-4296565
INTRO: Britain is ramping up the purchasing of drones and driverless speedboats to defend the UK and its allies, amid fears that its traditional warfare capabilities are under-resourced. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed it is to accelerate the production of British-built Octopus interceptor drones, which are being used in Ukraine but are also readied for the frontline against Iran.
The Royal Navy has also ordered 20 unmanned speedboats with drone-fighting capabilities, with the service saying it is moving to a “hybrid navy” of both crewed and autonomous boats and kit. The £12.3m fleet of Kraken uncrewed surface vessels, or USVs, will be used by the Coastal Forces Squadron and the Royal Marines for operations, training and development.
While the MoD did not confirm whether the USVs would be ready in time for the current Middle East conflict, the boats would be suitable for the kind of operations needed to take out Iranian drones in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran is currently blocking to most global shipping.
But military experts warned the rapid expansion of the UK’s reliance on uncrewed weaponry and equipment could undermine the nation’s more traditional warfighting capabilities. At the weekend, Donald Trump called on the UK and other nations to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to help the US free up the shipping lane from hostile bombardment.
But the UK Government has faced criticism over its lack of naval capacity, with HMS Dragon setting sail for the Eastern Mediterranean more than a week after the war started, as it was still undergoing a refit. The acceleration of drone and other autonomous kit purchases prompted calls for the UK to invest in both traditional and modern equipment... (MORE - details)
INTRO: Britain is ramping up the purchasing of drones and driverless speedboats to defend the UK and its allies, amid fears that its traditional warfare capabilities are under-resourced. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed it is to accelerate the production of British-built Octopus interceptor drones, which are being used in Ukraine but are also readied for the frontline against Iran.
The Royal Navy has also ordered 20 unmanned speedboats with drone-fighting capabilities, with the service saying it is moving to a “hybrid navy” of both crewed and autonomous boats and kit. The £12.3m fleet of Kraken uncrewed surface vessels, or USVs, will be used by the Coastal Forces Squadron and the Royal Marines for operations, training and development.
While the MoD did not confirm whether the USVs would be ready in time for the current Middle East conflict, the boats would be suitable for the kind of operations needed to take out Iranian drones in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran is currently blocking to most global shipping.
But military experts warned the rapid expansion of the UK’s reliance on uncrewed weaponry and equipment could undermine the nation’s more traditional warfighting capabilities. At the weekend, Donald Trump called on the UK and other nations to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to help the US free up the shipping lane from hostile bombardment.
But the UK Government has faced criticism over its lack of naval capacity, with HMS Dragon setting sail for the Eastern Mediterranean more than a week after the war started, as it was still undergoing a refit. The acceleration of drone and other autonomous kit purchases prompted calls for the UK to invest in both traditional and modern equipment... (MORE - details)