Thales UK and Kongsberg Maritime have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop an autonomous submarine-hunting vessel under the Royal Navy’s Type 92 requirement.
The proposed solution will integrate Kongsberg Maritime’s Arctic Hunter uncrewed surface vessel (USV) with Thales’ advanced underwater sensors, tactical planning systems, and secure communication technologies.
The partnership aims to strengthen anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities across the North Atlantic and High North, regions identified as strategic priorities for UK-Norwegian defence cooperation and NATO maritime security.
Integrating Advanced Sensors and Autonomous Capabilities
The collaboration will support the Royal Navy’s Hybrid Navy strategy, which envisions crewed warships operating alongside uncrewed platforms within an interconnected maritime force.
Rather than functioning independently, these platforms will exchange sensor information to improve underwater threat detection, tracking, and response capabilities.
Under the proposed arrangement, Kongsberg’s Arctic Hunter will serve as the autonomous surface platform, equipped with underwater sensor systems. Thales will contribute its sonar expertise, acoustic modelling capabilities, tactical planning solutions, and secure communications technologies.
Additionally, AI-assisted data analysis powered by Thales’ cortAIx will help process underwater sensor information, while secure communication links will enable seamless information sharing with other naval assets.
Building on Royal Navy Sonar Modernisation Programmes
The proposed Type 92 initiative builds on Thales’ established role in supplying underwater detection technologies to the Royal Navy, including sonar systems for its Type 23 and Type 26 frigates.
Last year, Thales and BAE Systems also expanded their collaboration to advance next-generation sonar technologies for British submarines.
Building on more than two decades of cooperation, the agreement focuses on accelerating the development, delivery, and integration of advanced sonar capabilities into the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.
