Britain has unveiled a fleet of autonomous sea drones designed to track and monitor Russian spy ships in its waters, the defence secretary announced during the opening of a new factory in Plymouth. The subsurface drones, developed by Anglo-German defence firm Helsing, are engineered to patrol the ocean depths in swarms, scanning for enemy vessels and submarines with artificial intelligence. John Healey said the technology is a direct response to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” which has the capacity to map, monitor, and even sabotage the UK’s network of undersea cables.
The announcement comes after reports that the Russian spy ship Yantar recently targeted British aircraft with military-grade lasers while operating north of Scotland. Defence officials described the incident as a “deeply dangerous” escalation, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by vessels capable of interfering with reconnaissance missions and undersea infrastructure that carries over 90 percent of the nation’s data, including financial transactions.
At the new Helsing factory, Healey stressed the growing strategic importance of the maritime domain. He noted that the Yantar, which had entered UK waters a year ago, had returned multiple times in recent weeks, underscoring the persistent threat. Healey told engineers that the drones being developed are a critical tool for detecting, deterring, and potentially confronting these underwater threats, which include adversary submarines and surveillance vessels capable of sabotage.
Helsing’s SG-1 Fathom drones, measuring nearly two meters in length, use AI trained on decades of acoustic data to identify objects in real time. Hundreds of drones can be deployed in swarms to discreetly monitor large areas for up to three months, requiring only a single operator on shore or at sea. Amelia Gould, Helsing’s general manager of maritime, described the system as operating like a “satellite constellation under the sea,” capable of adapting to the environment and learning from threats, in line with NATO’s vision for a “digital ocean.”
The drones complement other British defence initiatives, including the installation of the DragonFire laser weapon on Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers. The £316 million system can destroy drones, mortar rounds, and even brick walls, with tests showing the laser can hit high-speed targets and precise objects from a kilometre away. The first destroyer is expected to be equipped with the weapon in 2027, with each shot costing approximately £10.
By combining AI-powered underwater drones with advanced laser defenses on surface ships, the UK aims to secure its waters against Russian espionage and safeguard vital undersea infrastructure, marking a significant step in maritime security innovation.
