Royal Navy to buy 20 uncrewed boats as testbeds for future operations

The Royal Navy is set to purchase 20 uncrewed boats from the Kraken Technology Group in a contract worth £12.3 million ($23.3 million) as it looks to build on its ability to merge both crewed and uncrewed forces. The procurement of 20 K3 Scout high-speed Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) for its Surface Flotilla (SURFLOT) is part of the Royal Navy’s Project Beehive which will deliver a platform to act as a proving ground for future Hybrid Navy technologies while also providing an immediate operational capability.

The Fareham, Hampshire-based Kraken Technology Group is a UK company with expertise in designing and building USVs and a growing footprint, including a facility in Germany. The fleet of 20 Scout USVs will be used by the RN’s Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines for operations, training and development activities to help set the foundation for further uses of autonomous and uncrewed technology, according to a Royal Navy media release.

“The Royal Navy’s investment in uncrewed surface vessels marks a significant milestone in our journey towards a Hybrid Navy,” said Vice Admiral Paul Beattie, Second Sea Lord. “By integrating cutting-edge autonomous technology with our existing capabilities, we are ensuring that our forces remain at the forefront of maritime innovation and warfighting effectiveness.”

The contract comes as the RN is accelerating its transition to a Hybrid Navy, one that sees traditional ships operate alongside uncrewed vessels and other autonomous equipment and drones. The Beehive capability will operate alongside existing crewed and uncrewed systems such as the Mine Hunting Capability.

Project Beehive takes experimentation conducted by the RN’s Disruptive Capabilities team and immediately brings their learning through into operations proving the service’s ability to rapidly take new technology and adopt it, says the Royal Navy.

The Kraken USVs will have open architecture for rapid integration of new capabilities to maintain a British warfighting edge over its adversaries. Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel are already under training and the RN says it will have an exceptionally capable USV operational in the next few months.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP added: “We are building the Royal Navy of the future right now in the face of threats seen around the world.

Founded only five years ago, Kraken has grown at pace, successfully demonstrating and executing with the MOD and NATO Task Force-X (Baltic). The company is also expanding a joint venture with major European shipbuilder Rheinmetall Naval Systems and says it will be announcing further joint ventures/licensed manufacturing agreements in 2026.

“The award of Project Beehive is a major validation of our maritime capabilities and our ability to enhance maritime defence through the introduction of disruptive technologies,” said Mal Crease, Founder and CEO of Kraken Technology Group. “We are delighted to partner with the MOD to support the Royal Navy’s mission to transform to a hybrid fleet. As the modern theatre evolves, Kraken will continue to iterate at pace in support of the UK and its allies.”

The Royal Navy has amassed significant experience in Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and has been trialling remotely operated surface craft for the past few years, the service says.  A recent exercise in Scotland saw remotely-controlled vessels watch and escort a ship acting as a contact of interest. They were piloted from sailors and Royal Marines embarked on experimentation ship XV Patrick Blackett in Portsmouth while the vessels themselves were 500 miles away.