The Royal Navy will deploy its first operational autonomous systems into the North Atlantic next year as part of a rapid shift toward a hybrid fleet, the First Sea Lord told the International Sea Power Conference in London.
The commitments mark the earliest tangible outputs of the Navy’s new Atlantic Bastion, Atlantic Shield and Atlantic Strike concepts.
General Sir Gwyn Jenkins warned that the UK’s long-held advantage in the Atlantic is under growing pressure, citing increased Russian submarine activity and the expanding presence of intelligence vessels such as Yantar. He said “the advantage that we have enjoyed in the Atlantic since the end of the Cold War is at risk. We are holding on, but not by much.”
Against that backdrop, he outlined four concrete deliverables that will come online in 2026.
First Atlantic Bastion sensors in the water
The Navy will begin deploying autonomous acoustic sensors next year, forming the initial element of a wider undersea surveillance network. Jenkins said “next year, we will have our first sensors in the water,” emphasising that industry investment has already exceeded Government spending at a ratio of four to one.
Atlantic Bastion contracts to be issued as a service
Alongside the initial deployments, the Navy will award “our contracts for Atlantic Bastion as a service” next year. The model is intended to accelerate fielding and avoid long procurement cycles by outsourcing capability delivery rather than buying equipment outright.
Autonomous escort to enter the water
Jenkins reaffirmed a previous pledge that “we will get our first autonomous escort in the water within two years, and we will.” Based on the timeline, that system is due to appear next year as part of Atlantic Shield, the UK contribution to northern air and maritime defence.
Carrier-launched fast jet drone demonstrator
The Navy will also conduct the first launch of an unmanned fast-jet surrogate from a UK carrier. “We will get a demonstrator for our fast jet fighter capability off the carrier next year,” Jenkins said, describing it as a key component of the emerging Atlantic Strike concept.
Allies being invited to join the network
Jenkins stressed that the UK cannot secure the Atlantic alone. He confirmed that Norway intends to join Atlantic Bastion and link its future Type 26 frigates into the network, adding that “we need other allies together. We will build a network that we can connect to our systems and capabilities.”
A warning against delay
Framing the commitments, Jenkins said the pace of technological change and the rising threat environment mean the Navy must build for speed rather than predict the future. “The pace of technological change will never be as slow again as it is today,” he noted. “Now is the time for action.”
He added that attempts to modernise without transforming would fall short, arguing that adversaries are investing at scale while the UK’s legacy Atlantic advantage has narrowed.
The First Sea Lord closed with a call for sustained urgency: “We are moving out because we have no choice. Our job is to be ready.”