The UK will strengthen its submarine fleet by involving unmanned underwater systems in it. Defense Minister Ben Wallace said that the latest technologies will help the country maintain its naval superiority in the face of modern threats and growing tension in world waters, Army Infrom reports.
The British Navy is already testing the unmanned submarine Cetus, which is one of the most advanced developments in the field of autonomous systems. Cetus can perform a wide range of tasks, including reconnaissance, monitoring and even anti-submarine defense. The uniqueness of this system lies in its ability to operate for a long time at depths inaccessible to conventional submarines.
The autonomous underwater systems development program has received additional funding as part of the country's defense capability enhancement initiative. It is expected that such systems will be able to reduce the risk to the life of the crew and reduce operating costs in the long term.
Britain is also working with NATO allies to standardize autonomous maritime systems, which will allow us to jointly solve problems in the world's oceans. It is expected that unmanned submarines will be integrated into the naval forces by the end of this decade.