UK unveils new undersea warfare technology program

December 8, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

The UK has launched its ambitious Atlantic Bastion program, aiming to strengthen the Royal Navy and transform its submarine-hunting capabilities across the North Atlantic.

As disclosed, the Atlantic Bastion will combine autonomous vessels and AI with warships and aircraft to create a highly advanced hybrid force to protect undersea cables and pipelines.

According to the officials, the program is in direct response to a resurgence in Russian submarine and underwater activity, including the activities of Russian spy ship Yantar around UK waters.

Game of shadows: UK’s warships track Russian vessel Yantar through UK waters

Operations

Industry interest in the program has been strong. A combined £14 million in seedcorn funding from the Ministry of Defence and industry has already been committed this year to testing and development. So far, 26 firms from the UK and Europe have submitted proposals for anti-submarine sensor technology, while 20 companies, from large primes to tech SMEs, are already showcasing demonstrators.

The initiative aims to enhance the Royal Navy’s ability to detect, track, and, if necessary, act against adversaries across vast ocean areas with unprecedented effectiveness.

In the coming weeks, the next phase of development will move successful projects from concept to frontline-ready capabilities. Deployment of these technologies at sea is scheduled for next year, with further investment planned to accelerate and expand the program.

The pace of development underscores the UK defence industry’s readiness to support the Government’s Hybrid Navy ambitions and deliver enhanced maritime capabilities.

“This new era of threat demands a new era for defence, and we must rapidly innovate at a wartime pace to maintain the battlefield edge as we deliver on the Strategic Defence Review (SDR). Our pioneering Atlantic Bastion programme is a blueprint for the future of the Royal Navy. It combines the latest autonomous and AI technologies with world-class warships and aircraft to create a highly advanced hybrid fighting force to detect, deter and defeat those who threaten us,” Defense Secretary John Healey MP said.

“The SDR identified the maritime domain as increasingly vulnerable – and that maritime security is a strategic imperative for the UK. It is time to act. This begins with Atlantic Bastion – our bold new approach to secure the underwater battlespace against a modernising Russia. Our commitment to Alliance. And it is happening now,” First Sea Lord General Gwyn Jenkins commented.

Atlantic Bastion will see ships, submarines, aircraft and unmanned vessels connected through AI-powered acoustic detection technology and integrated into a digital targeting web.

The program shows how the UK is carrying out the transformation to hybrid navies, a sector worth £350 billion globally.

“The government has called upon industry to create the modern warfighter. We have designed Seabed Sentry in the UK in partnership with other British companies to deliver for our Armed Forces and protect allied waters from increasingly hostile actors. We are investing in British talent, in British technology and in Britain’s tomorrow. Anduril UK stands ready to defend British interests,” Rich Drake, Managing Director of Anduril UK stated.

“Autonomy represents a transformative opportunity to redefine how operations are conducted above and below the waves. That is exactly why we developed Herne, the UK’s first autonomous extra large submarine for military use and its fully autonomous military control system, Nautomate. They deliver enhanced tactical flexibility, enable data-driven mission decisions and scale operations in ways that were previously unimaginable,” Scott Jamieson, Managing Director of BAE Systems Defence Solutions, noted.

“Through self-funded development and UK-based trials of SG-1 Fathom and Lura, we have demonstrated the power of advanced AI and autonomy to change the game in the underwater battle space. As Europe’s leading Defence Technology company, Helsing is ready to play a leading role in Atlantic Bastion and create a sea drone wall to protect NATO,” Amelia Gould, General Manager Maritime at Helsing, stated.