UK Royal Navy receives first autonomous MCM vessel

British sailors and essential infrastructure will be better protected following delivery of the first end-to-end autonomous, unmanned UK mine hunting vessel, RNMB Ariadne, under a contract worth some £184 million ($376 million).

UK’s first Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) vessel capable of detecting and destroying sea mines was delivered to the Royal Navy by Thales UK and its supply chain. The new technology enables mines to be detected rapidly and eliminates the need for sailors to enter dangerous mined areas, says the UK MoD in a statement.

The autonomous RNMB Ariadne was designed and manufactured in the UK in a contract with Thales UK, which supports more than 200 jobs across Somerset, Plymouth, Portsmouth, and Scotland.

RNMB ARIADNE is 12 metres long and can be deployed from a harbour or mother ship to hunt the seabed for mines using the highly sophisticated towed Thales TSAM sonar system. It is likely to be used both at home and overseas.

This announcement comes following the Prime Minister’s commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from 2027, with a clear ambition to hit 3% of GDP in the next Parliament.

“This delivery marks a significant milestone in our mine-hunting capabilities and the autonomous technology will keep Britain and our Royal Navy sailors safer by identifying  and removing mines,” said Maria Eagle, the UK Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry. “It has also supported hundreds of skilled jobs across UK industry – a clear demonstration that defence is an engine for economic growth.”

The programme forms part of a joint UK-France initiative with a total contract value of £361 million ($738 million), managed by the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR), she added. The delivery is part of the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S)-led Mine Hunting Capability Programme, which aims to transition from conventional Mine Counter Measures Vessels to Maritime Autonomous Systems.

“This is a significant first delivery for the Royal Navy and is a proud moment for all those involved in bringing this transformative capability into service,” said Rear Admiral Steve McCarthy, Director of Maritime Environment at DE&S.

Following successful trials of the prototype vessel RNMB APOLLO in the Firth of Clyde in September 2024, Royal Navy personnel will now undertake training with Thales’ support before conducting a thorough Operational Evaluation and beginning to deploy MMCM systems on active duty.

“ With the introduction of AI and advanced sensor technology, this innovation represents a new era in maritime defence technology and demonstrates our unwavering commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that enhance the capabilities of our defence forces,” said Phil Siveter, CEO of Thales UK. “The Royal Navy will now have a powerful tool to safeguard national interests and maintain security at sea. “

The Royal Navy plans to gradually phase out conventional crewed mine hunting vessels as additional autonomous systems are delivered over the next five years or so. This transition represents a fundamental shift in naval operations, creating additional skilled employment opportunities in the maritime technology sector while establishing the UK as a leader in autonomous maritime systems, says the UK MoD.