UK allocates £90m for subsea cable defence network

The UK government has committed £90m to a new surveillance programme designed to protect critical subsea infrastructure from hostile activity. The investment will fund drones, sensors and artificial intelligence systems to enhance the Royal Navy’s capacity to monitor the North Atlantic. This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to secure energy and communications networks that connect the United Kingdom with its allies.

The framework agreement was signed with Ocean Infinity Solutions, a firm based in Southampton. The arrangement establishes Atlantic Net, a network of autonomous systems intended to operate across the North Atlantic. These systems will include advanced sensors capable of detecting submarines and other underwater threats. The technology is designed to provide earlier warning to submarine-hunting warships and Astute-class submarines, offering a clearer picture of activity beneath the surface. This single surveillance service aims to improve the scale, persistence and resilience of underwater monitoring.

The contract forms part of the Royal Navy’s Atlantic Bastion programme, which seeks to create a hybrid naval force for tracking enemy submarines. Working alongside NATO and joint expeditionary force allies, the programme intends to strengthen protection against interference and sabotage. Minister for defence readiness and industry Luke Pollard stated that the changing threats beneath the North Atlantic require new technology. He noted that the investment supports British business while strengthening deterrence under the sea to support the ultimate nuclear deterrent.

The government estimates the project will support up to 200 new jobs and protect over 38,700 existing positions in South East England. This announcement coincides with the Scottish Government granting a marine licence for a high-voltage subsea electricity link between Scotland and England. The licence covers the installation and operation of EGL3’s subsea cable infrastructure in Scottish waters, including nearshore work near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire. The delayed line is planned to run from Peterhead to Walpole in Norfolk, highlighting the ongoing development of critical underwater energy infrastructure.