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UK announces £90m AI-enabled undersea surveillance investment

The UK has announced a £90 million investment in drones, sensors and AI systems for the Royal Navy’s Atlantic Net programme. The Ministry of Defence says a framework with Ocean Infinity Solutions will support almost 200 skilled jobs and str

AI.info Team · Written with AI · fact-checked · 2026-11-10

Funding and framework

The Ministry of Defence announced a £90 million investment in drones, sensors and AI systems for the Royal Navy, as the first phase of its Atlantic Bastion programme. The government says the technology is intended to protect undersea cables and energy networks.

The investment is linked to a new framework with Hampshire-based Ocean Infinity Solutions. The ministry said the framework was due to be signed on the day of the announcement and would pave the way for the £90 million investment.

What Atlantic Net is designed to do

The system, called Atlantic Net, will equip the Navy with a network of autonomous systems operating across the North Atlantic, the ministry says. The announcement describes it as a surveillance capability that will work alongside the Royal Navy’s crewed fleet.

The ministry says the network will include sensors to help detect Russian submarines and other activity, as well as uncrewed systems able to patrol underwater. It says the systems are intended to hunt threats and protect critical infrastructure.

The single surveillance service will give submarine-hunting warships and Astute-class submarines earlier warning of threats. The ministry also says it will provide a clearer picture of activity beneath the surface.

Part of a wider naval plan

The framework is part of Atlantic Bastion, the Royal Navy’s plan to create a hybrid force of crewed and uncrewed vessels. The government described that approach as a key recommendation of the Strategic Defence Review.

The Royal Navy’s plan includes protecting underwater infrastructure connecting and powering the UK and its allies, including communications cables and energy networks. The announcement says the programme will work alongside NATO and Joint Expeditionary Force allies to strengthen protection against interference, sabotage and hostile activity.

The ministry says the Royal Navy and Ocean Infinity Solutions will bring maritime systems, underwater sensing, communications, remote operations and data services into one capability directed by the Navy. Atlantic Net is intended to increase the scale, persistence and resilience of underwater surveillance.

Jobs and industry

The Ministry says the framework will support almost 200 new skilled jobs and the company’s immediate supply chain. It also points to 38,700 jobs in South East England that it says are directly supported by Ministry of Defence spending with industry.

Announced at the International Sea Power Conference in Oslo, the investment was presented by Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard as support for both undersea security and British business. Pollard said: “The threats beneath the North Atlantic are changing, and we are changing with them.”