The UK is stepping up its defence of critical undersea infrastructure with a multimillion-pound initiative designed to counter growing threats from adversaries, particularly Russia. The Atlantic Bastion programme, unveiled as part of the Strategic Defence Review, aims to integrate autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI), warships, and aircraft to safeguard underwater structures such as cables and pipelines.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has described the programme as a direct response to increased Russian submarine and underwater activity, including the recent presence of the spy ship Yantar in UK waters. This initiative has garnered a combined investment of £14 million from the MoD and industry partners this year, with plans to deploy the technology as early as next year.
Defence Secretary John Healey underscored the urgency of the project, stating, “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. 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.”
The Atlantic Bastion programme has attracted proposals from 26 firms across the UK and Europe. During a recent visit to Portsmouth Naval Base, Healey examined several cutting-edge technologies that could be integral to the project. These included the SG-1 Fathom, an autonomous underwater glider; Rattler, an unmanned remote-controlled boat; Proteus, an autonomous anti-submarine helicopter; and Excalibur, an experimental uncrewed submarine.
The programme’s launch coincides with a speech by First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins at the International Sea Power Conference in London. Sir Gwyn is expected to emphasise the strategic importance of maritime security, stating, “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. This begins with Atlantic Bastion—our bold new approach to secure the underwater battlespace against a modernising Russia.”
The MoD spokesman elaborated on the programme’s innovative approach: “Atlantic Bastion will see ships, submarines, aircraft, and unmanned vessels connected through AI-powered acoustic detection technology and integrated into a digital targeting web—a pioneering network of weapons systems that allow battlefield decisions for targeting enemy threats to be made and executed faster.”
The importance of protecting subsea infrastructure cannot be overstated, as it carries 99% of international telecommunications data and vital energy supplies such as electricity, oil, and gas. The programme’s development comes on the heels of a defence agreement signed between the UK and Norway, allowing their navies to operate a combined fleet of warships aimed at protecting critical undersea cables.
As the UK and its allies face evolving threats in the underwater domain, the Atlantic Bastion programme represents a strategic leap forward in defence innovation and international cooperation. By leveraging advanced technology and collaborative efforts, the UK is poised to strengthen its defences and secure its critical infrastructure against emerging threats.