In line with its modernization plans, which have as one of their priorities the acquisition of unmanned systems, the Royal Navy announced the purchase of 20 new naval drones to pave the way for future autonomous operations. According to the institution through its official channels, this is an agreement that will require an investment of around £12.3 million, which has been awarded to the local company Kraken Works, a firm specialised in the development of unmanned surface vessels (USV).
Expanding on the details, the institution reported that these 20 new naval drones will be integrated into the Coastal Forces Squadron and the 47 Commando of the Royal Marines, which will begin conducting the first training exercises and outlining possible developments looking toward the future. It was also specified that the acquisition forms part of the so-called Project Beehive of the Royal Navy, which is defined as a testing ground for the force to become familiar with new platforms of this type, with the aim of generating doctrine and the capability to operate as a hybrid force in the future.
Regarding these matters, Vice Admiral Paul Beattie, current Second Sea Lord, stated: “The Royal Navy’s investment in unmanned surface vessels marks a significant milestone on our journey toward a Hybrid Navy. By integrating cutting-edge autonomous technology with our existing capabilities, we ensure that our forces remain at the forefront of maritime innovation and combat effectiveness.” In particular, these new USV-type systems could be employed for dangerous tasks such as the neutralisation of naval mines, keeping crewed vessels at safe distances.
For his part, referring to the USV acquired from Kraken Works, Captain Adam Ballard stated: “Project Beehive is an exciting step in the trajectory of the Royal Navy’s Hybrid Navy. It requires the experimentation carried out by our Disruptive Capabilities team and immediately applies its learning to operations, demonstrating our ability to rapidly adopt new technologies. The Kraken USVs will feature an open architecture for the rapid integration of new capabilities and to maintain our combat advantage over our adversaries. Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel are already in training and we will have an exceptionally capable USV operational in the coming months.”
On the other hand, it is worth noting that for the company itself this represents one of its most important contracts in its five years of activity, during which it has already carried out various demonstrations in association with the British Ministry of Defence and the so-called NATO Task Force X deployed in the Baltic. Looking toward the future, it is also expected that it will continue strengthening its partnership with the German company Rheinmetall Naval Systems, which would provide it with greater production capacity to meet future orders, potentially for export.
It should be mentioned that the Royal Navy has been working for years on the development and evaluation of various types of unmanned platforms beyond the recently acquired naval drones, including both surface and underwater units. In this regard, it is worth highlighting that recently the institution conducted an exercise in Scotland involving a group of drones that were piloted from the experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett located several kilometres away in Portsmouth.
Finally, it should be considered that during last September, the Royal Navy also managed to demonstrate the integration of the Malloy T-150 drone within the Carrier Strike Group led by the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. This is a new heavy-lift drone, which was used to transport materials between the aforementioned flagship and one of the destroyers that formed part of its escort, something that in the future could mean a significant reduction in the operational load placed on the helicopters and auxiliary vessels normally used for that task.
*Image credits: Royal Navy – Kraken Works
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