A Dorset maritime tech specialist has secured a £32m contract to provide autonomous mine-hunting systems to the Royal Navy.
Atlas Elektronik (UK) will supply three sets of Medium Autonomous Underwater Vessel (MAUV) systems to help ensure Royal Navy personnel can combat the rapidly evolving threat of naval mines.
The new technology – which will help detect and neutralise mines while being controlled remotely by operators either at sea or on land – will also help maintain the freedom of movement for UK ships and submarines when defending the nation.
The agreement will create 50 jobs in the UK and a further 23 jobs across Europe, and is considered to be a “significant technological leap” for the Royal Navy.
Minister for defence procurement Jeremy Quin said: “This innovative technology is a huge leap forward for the Royal Navy and will be crucial to protecting the security and safety of our personnel.
“Supporting wider British industry, it also reinforces our focus on ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of tackling defence threats.”
Supporting other autonomous assets, including the joint FR/UK Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) and Combined Influence Sweep (SWEEP) systems, the MAUVs will become part of a ‘system of systems’ for the Royal Navy.
Commander Neil Griffiths Royal Navy, Commander Mine Threat Exploitation Group, said: “This is another exciting step as we move from conventional mine counter measures to a system of integrated capabilities.
“This new capability is quicker, provides greater precision and will put the latest technology in the hands of our sailors, reinforcing their reputation as some of the best MCM practitioners in the world.”
The first MAUV equipment delivery is expected in the spring of 2023.
