The UK is strengthening its ability to monitor and respond to potential undersea activity in the North Atlantic as part of planned updates to the Royal Navy’s submarine-detection capabilities.

Defence Secretary John Healey visited HM Naval Base Portsmouth to outline initial work on the Atlantic Bastion programme, which will receive investment this year to support the development and testing of new anti-submarine sensor technology.

Details of the Atlantic Bastion programme are being outlined for the first time today as part of the Strategic Defence Review. The initiative aims to integrate autonomous surface and underwater systems, digital infrastructure, and existing naval and air assets to enhance the UK’s ability to monitor underwater environments.

The programme follows increased submarine and undersea activity in the region, including operations by the Russian vessel Yantar near UK waters. UK Defence Intelligence has reported ongoing modernisation of Russian undersea capabilities, with potential risks to critical infrastructure such as cables and pipelines.

Atlantic Bastion is intended to deliver a hybrid force model designed to enhance surveillance, tracking and operational response across wide ocean areas in support of UK and NATO security interests.

The project has already attracted strong industry interest, with a combined £14 million in initial government and industry funding committed this year for early testing and development. Twenty-six firms from the UK and Europe have proposed anti-submarine sensor solutions, and 20 companies are showcasing technology concepts, with current matched funding at a ratio of 4:1 from private investors, according to the UK Government.

The next phase of the development and testing over the coming weeks will see successful companies take forward development work from concept to frontline – with capabilities due to be deployed in the water next year, and further investment to accelerate and expand the programme to follow next year.

This rapid development and testing highlights the UK defence industry’s readiness to support the Government’s Hybrid Navy proposal.

With Atlantic Bastion, the Government is rapidly delivering a key commitment of the Strategic Defence Review and demonstrating UK leadership in transforming NATO capabilities.

The launch of Atlantic Bastion comes as First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins is expected to set out his vision for the future of the Royal Navy at the International Sea Power Conference in London today.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said: “People should be in no doubt of the new threats facing the UK and our allies under the sea, where adversaries are targeting infrastructure that is so critical to our way of life.

“This new era of threat demands a new era for defence, and we must rapidly innovate at a wartime pace to maintain the battlefield edge as we deliver on the Strategic Defence Review.

“Our pioneering Atlantic Bastion programme is a blueprint for the future of the Royal Navy. It combines the latest autonomous and AI technologies with world-class warships and aircraft to create a highly advanced hybrid fighting force to detect, deter and defeat those who threaten us.”

Speaking at the International Sea Power Conference today, General Sir Gwyn will hail the launch of Atlantic Bastion as a pioneering new era of maritime warfare that blends the skill and expertise of highly trained crews with autonomous platforms and artificial intelligence.

General Sir Gwyn will say the programme continues the proud tradition of British maritime innovation, positioning Britain as the global leader in autonomous naval warfare whilst building on the UK’s world-leading anti-submarine warfare heritage.

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First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins is expected to say: “We are a Navy that thrives when it is allowed to adapt. To evolve. We have never stood still – because the threats never do.

“The SDR identified the maritime domain as increasingly vulnerable – and that maritime security is a strategic imperative for the UK. It is time to act.

“This begins with Atlantic Bastion – our bold new approach to secure the underwater battlespace against a modernising Russia. Our commitment to Alliance. And it is happening now.

A revolutionary underwater network is taking shape – from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to the Norwegian Sea. More autonomous, more resilient, more lethal – and British built.

“We’ve already made rapid and significant progress with delivering Atlantic Bastion. A force that keeps us secure at home and strong abroad.”

Atlantic Bastion will see ships, submarines, aircraft and unmanned vessels connected through AI-powered acoustic detection technology and integrated into a digital targeting web – a network of weapons systems that allow battlefield decisions for targeting enemy threats to be made and executed faster.