The UK has unveiled work on its groundbreaking Atlantic Bastion program, which will make Britain more secure from Russian undersea threats in the North Atlantic through a transformation of the Royal Navy and its submarine-hunting capabilities.
Britain will be more secure from Russian undersea threats in the North Atlantic through a transformation of the Royal Navy and its submarine-hunting capabilities.
Defence Secretary John Healey visited HM Naval Base Portsmouth to unveil early work on the groundbreaking Atlantic Bastion program, with millions of pounds invested this year in development and testing of innovative anti-submarine sensor technology.
The development of Atlantic Bastion will be set out for the first time today as the Government delivers on the vision of the Strategic Defence Review. Atlantic Bastion places the UK at the forefront of a technological revolution in naval warfare, combining the latest autonomous surface and underwater vessels and cutting-edge digital infrastructure with world-class warships and patrol aircraft.
The world-leading 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, recently exposed by the Defence Secretary. UK Defence Intelligence has identified that Putin is currently modernizing his fleet to target critical undersea cables and pipelines.
Atlantic Bastion will create an advanced hybrid naval force to defend the UK and NATO allies against evolving threats. It will enable the UK to find, track and, if required, act against adversaries with unprecedented effectiveness across vast areas of ocean.
There has been huge appetite from industry, with combined MOD/industry seed corn investment of £14 million already committed this year to testing and development. 26 firms from the UK and Europe have submitted proposals to develop anti-submarine sensor technology, and 20 companies from big primes to tech SMEs are already showcasing technology demonstrators, with public investment matched by private investment so far at a 4:1 ratio.
The next phase of development and testing over the coming weeks will see successful companies take forward development work from concept to frontline – with capabilities due to be deployed in the water next year, and further investment to accelerate and expand the program to follow next year.
This rapid development and testing highlight the UK defense industry’s readiness to support the Government’s Hybrid Navy proposal.
With Atlantic Bastion, the Government is rapidly delivering a key commitment of the Strategic Defence Review and demonstrating UK leadership in transforming NATO capabilities.
The launch of Atlantic Bastion comes as First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins is expected to set out his vision for the future of the Royal Navy at the International Sea Power Conference in London today.