Britain will begin rolling out a new suite of undersea surveillance and counter-submarine capabilities under Atlantic Bastion.
The project links autonomous vessels, AI enabled detection networks and existing naval and air platforms, the government stated.
Defence Secretary John Healey unveiled early work on the programme during a visit to Portsmouth, framing Atlantic Bastion as part of the Strategic Defence Review’s push to accelerate maritime modernisation. Healey said “People should be in no doubt of the new threats facing the UK and our allies under the sea, where adversaries are targeting infrastructure that is so critical to our way of life.” He added that “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.”
Healey described Atlantic Bastion as “a blueprint for the future of the Royal Navy” that “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.” The announcement follows a rise in Russian underwater operations, including activity by the intelligence ship Yantar around UK waters.
The government says the programme will allow the UK to track and, if necessary, respond to hostile submarines across wider areas of ocean. UK Defence Intelligence has assessed that Russia is modernising its fleet with the aim of holding cables and pipelines at risk. Atlantic Bastion is intended to counter that shift through an integrated network of ships, submarines, unmanned platforms and AI powered acoustic sensors.
Industry engagement has been significant. The Ministry of Defence stated that fourteen million pounds in seedcorn funding has already been committed with private investment matching public money at a four to one ratio. Twenty six companies have submitted sensor concepts and twenty firms are demonstrating early systems. Selected technologies are expected to enter water trials next year.
The First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, is expected to outline how Atlantic Bastion fits into a broader vision for the Royal Navy at the International Sea Power Conference. He is due to say “We are a Navy that thrives when it is allowed to adapt. To evolve. We have never stood still because the threats never do.”
He will also argue that “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.” According to his prepared remarks, Atlantic Bastion is “our bold new approach to secure the underwater battlespace against a modernising Russia” and “a revolutionary underwater network” that is “more autonomous, more resilient, more lethal and British built.”
Jenkins will add that “We’ve already made rapid and significant progress with delivering Atlantic Bastion. A force that keeps us secure at home and strong abroad.”
The programme also showcases capabilities under development by UK based and international defence firms. Dr Rich Drake of Anduril UK said “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.” He added that Anduril is investing in “British talent, British technology and Britain’s tomorrow.”
Scott Jamieson of BAE Systems said “Autonomy represents a transformative opportunity to redefine how operations are conducted above and below the waves.” He highlighted the firm’s Herne extra large autonomous submarine and its control system, Nautomate, which he said “deliver enhanced tactical flexibility, enable data driven mission decisions and scale operations in ways that were previously unimaginable.”
Helsing’s Amelia Gould said the company views the UK as a leader in maritime defence innovation, adding “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.” She said Helsing stands ready to “create a sea drone wall to protect NATO.”
Officials argue that Atlantic Bastion reflects early delivery against the Strategic Defence Review and could support skilled jobs as part of a growing hybrid navy sector. The government says the project’s success will depend on integrating naval, air and digital assets into a single system capable of detecting threats at speed across the North Atlantic.
