The UK has unveiled a new defense initiative called Atlantic Bastion, aimed at tracking Russian submarines and protecting vital underwater infrastructure. Combining traditional military hardware with autonomous systems and artificial intelligence, the project is seen as a major step in Britain’s response to rising tensions in the North Atlantic.
According to the United Kingdom government, the plan was announced by British Defence Secretary John Healey on Sunday, with an initial investment of €16.38 million for 2025. The strategy reflects growing concern over increased Russian activity below sea level and focuses on securing subsea cables and pipelines critical to NATO countries.
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Where Innovation Meets Traditional Naval Assets
The core of Atlantic Bastion lies in its hybrid structure: a combination of robotic systems, AI tools, and conventional warships and aircraft. The Royal Navy is already testing the SG-1 Fathom, an autonomous underwater glider developed by Helsing, capable of conducting patrols for several months using acoustic data. This system represents a new class of undersea surveillance, operating independently from manned vessels.
In parallel, Atlantic Bastion integrates P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and Type 26 anti-submarine frigates, as well as new unmanned platforms like the Excalibur underwater drone and the Proteus UAV helicopter. Defence Secretary John Healey described the program as a way to reinforce the UK’s role within NATO and improve collective defence in the North Atlantic, from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to the Norwegian Sea.
NATO Steps Up in the North Atlantic
The initiative includes the deployment of a sensor network, designed to merge data from both manned and unmanned platforms to monitor submarine activity in real time.
As noted by Admiral Gwen Jenkins, commander of the Royal Navy, the aim is to build a “revolutionary underwater network”capable of securing undersea infrastructure. This strategic shift follows a reduction in the UK’s surface fleet over the last two decades, which has dropped from 31 to 13 first-rank warships, making the integration of autonomous systems even more critical for maintaining reach and coverage in contested waters.
When Concerns Demand Collaboration
Despite its ambitions, the project has raised concerns among defense officials and foreign observers. The National Strategy Committee in the UK has questioned the Royal Navy’s ability to fully protect its underwater infrastructure with current resources. Similarly, French Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, head of the French Navy, has expressed doubts about the operational maturity of the advanced technologies promoted by companies like Helsing.
On the cooperative front, the UK has found a partner in Norway, which has committed to acquiring the same Type 26 frigates featured in Atlantic Bastion.
