UK’s first vessel for detecting and destroying sea mines has been delivered to the Royal Navy. The new technology enables mines to be detected rapidly and eliminates the need for sailors to enter dangerous mined areas.
British defence jobs have been boosted and British sailors will be better protected following delivery of the first end-to-end autonomous UK mine hunting vessel, known as ‘Ariadne’, which will boost as Royal Navy capabilities, said UK Ministry of Defence.
The vessel was designed and manufactured in the UK under a £184 million deal with Thales UK, which supports more than 200 jobs across Somerset, Plymouth, Portsmouth, and Scotland.
The autonomous system, which includes the Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) RNMB ARIADNE, enables the Royal Navy to locate and destroy sea mines faster and more efficiently, without putting personnel at risk.
RNMB ARIADNE is 12 metres long, the same size as an average bus, and can be deployed from a harbour or mother ship to hunt the seabed for mines using the Thales TSAM system, one of the world’s most sophisticated towed sonars. It is likely to be used both at home and overseas.
This announcement comes following the Prime Minister’s commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from 2027, with a clear ambition to hit 3% of GDP in the next Parliament.
"This delivery marks a significant milestone in our mine-hunting capabilities and the autonomous technology will keep Britain and our Royal Navy sailors safer by identifying & removing mines. It has also supported hundreds of skilled jobs across UK industry – a clear demonstration that defence is an engine for economic growth," - said Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP.
The programme forms part of a joint UK-France initiative with a total contract value of £361 million, managed by the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR).
The delivery is part of the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S)-led Mine Hunting Capability Programme, which aims to transition from conventional Mine Counter Measures Vessels to Maritime Autonomous Systems.
Following successful trials of the prototype vessel RNMB APOLLO in the Firth of Clyde in September 2024, Royal Navy personnel will now undertake training with Thales’ support before conducting a thorough Operational Evaluation and beginning to deploy MMCM systems on active duty.
The Royal Navy plans to gradually phase out conventional crewed mine hunting vessels as additional autonomous systems are delivered over the next five years or so. This transition represents a fundamental shift in naval operations, creating additional skilled employment opportunities in the maritime technology sector while establishing the UK as a leader in autonomous maritime systems.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has offered condolences to President Donald Trump following an ISIS attack near the ancient city of Palmyra that kill...
At least 14 people have died and 32 others were injured after flash floods swept through Morocco’s Atlantic coastal city of Safi on Sunday, authorit...
At least 16 people have been killed and around 40 others wounded after a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach during a public Hanukkah celebration,...
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Australia’s policies had encouraged antisemitism after a shooting at a Jewish celebration in Sydne...
China’s core artificial intelligence industry is projected to surpass 1.2 trillion yuan in 2025, up from more than 900 billion yuan in 2024, accordi...
Public spending watchdog says billions were wasted on temporary housing, while Downing Street confirms it will not follow Australia’s lead on age-restricting digital platforms.
The United Kingdom may be overstating its influence in efforts to end the war in Ukraine, according to John Kavulich, senior editor at Issue Insight.
The possibility of restricting social media access for children is a hot topic in the European Union and the United Kingdom, after Australia implemented a world-first ban for those under 16. Lawmakers have labelled the ban a “real-world test” of how far governments can go to protect young people.
Flights have resumed at the Edinburgh airport following a period of cancellations due to an IT issue with its air traffic control provider.
The Oligarch’s Design is an investigative documentary exploring how financial power, political influence and carefully constructed narratives can shape conflict and public perception.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterated his offer to host Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Ankara, at his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks took place on the sidelines of the international Forum for Peace and Trust in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on Friday (12 December).
Iranian authorities have seized a foreign tanker carrying more than 6 million litres of smuggled fuel in the Sea of Oman, detaining all 18 crew members on board.
Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova says the Kyiv authorities have still not provided Moscow with a list of thousands of Ukrainian children it claims were illegally taken to Russia, despite the issue being raised during talks in Istanbul.
An explosive device found in a vehicle linked to one of the alleged attackers in Bondi shooting has been secured and removed according to Police. The incident left 12 people dead.
At least 16 people, including students, were killed and 20 others injured after a school bus carrying students from Antioqueño High School crashed and fell off a cliff in northern Colombia on Sunday, local authorities said.
The U.S. condemned a drone strike on a United Nations base in Kadugli, Sudan, on Saturday that killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injured eight others.
France has called on the European Union to postpone a planned vote on the long-negotiated trade agreement with the South American Mercosur bloc, citing insufficient safeguards for European farmers.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has offered condolences to President Donald Trump following an ISIS attack near the ancient city of Palmyra that killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter, Syrian and U.S. officials said Sunday.
At least 14 people have died and 32 others were injured after flash floods swept through Morocco’s Atlantic coastal city of Safi on Sunday, authorities said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment