In brief

• The UK will spend £90 million on drones, sensors and AI to counter Russian submarine threats in the North Atlantic.
• The first phase of the Atlantic Bastion programme centres on the Atlantic Net network of autonomous systems.
• The system aims to protect undersea cables, energy networks and shipping routes.
• A framework deal with Ocean Infinity Solutions is expected to create almost 200 skilled jobs.

Funding and the Atlantic Bastion programme

The British Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday that £90 million, roughly $121 million, will go toward buying drones, sensors and artificial intelligence systems for the Royal Navy (Велика Британія інвестує £90 млн у дрони, датчики та системи ШІ для виявлення підводних човнів РФ – Suspilne) (Британія інвестує 90 мільйонів фунтів у дрони та захист підводної інфраструктури – Європейська правда). The money forms the first phase of a programme called Atlantic Bastion, which is designed to counter Russian undersea threats in the North Atlantic (Велика Британія інвестує 90 млн фунтів у дрони й системи ШІ для виявлення російських підводних човнів – Espreso).

What the Atlantic Net system does

The core element is a network known as Atlantic Net. It would deploy a set of autonomous systems across the North Atlantic, including modern sensors to detect Russian submarines and suspicious activity, and unmanned underwater vehicles that patrol the deep and track potential threats. Officials say the network would give anti-submarine warfare ships and Astute-class submarines earlier warnings and a clearer picture of what is happening beneath the surface.

The system is meant to protect subsea power and data cables, energy networks and key shipping routes, as well as the UK's nuclear deterrent. Reuters reported that the main concern is Russian activity targeting undersea cables (Widmo sabotażu krąży nad Atlantykiem. Brytyjska marynarka uratuje podwodne kable – Bankier.pl).

Industrial partner and jobs

A framework agreement will be signed with Ocean Infinity Solutions, a British company based in Hampshire. The project is expected to create almost 200 skilled jobs and support related suppliers.

Context: concerns over Arctic readiness

The announcement comes after a report from a British parliamentary defence committee said the navy could not defend itself effectively against Russian threats in the Arctic region (Brytyjczycy chcą lepiej śledzić okręty podwodne Rosji. Na stole pół miliarda złotych – Onet). The Ministry of Defence responded that it is investing in protecting subsea cables.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard said the new technology would let the Royal Navy detect threats earlier and protect critical infrastructure more effectively, and stressed the value of investment in the British defence industry.