In the shadowy depths off the west coast of Scotland, a sleek submarine glider, resembling a winged torpedo, submerges and vanishes into the waters. This is the SG-1 Fathom, engineered to detect intruders beneath the surface. "The glider navigates the ocean depths, its sensors actively monitoring for adversaries in the vicinity," explains Katie Raine, Fathom's program manager. Potential adversaries include Russian submarines, suspected of covert activities near UK waters, potentially mapping critical undersea cables and pipelines. Developed by the German defense company Helsing and currently being tested by the Royal Navy, Fathom is designed for prolonged autonomous operation, working alongside multiple other gliders. It employs software trained on extensive acoustic data, enhancing threat detection efficiency. If successful, Fathom is expected to become a part of Atlantic Bastion, an extensive network of drones, warships, and surveillance aircraft ensuring the safety of vital undersea infrastructure.
The Ministry of Defence will publicly launch components of Atlantic Bastion on Monday, describing it as a countermeasure to increased Russian submarine and underwater activities. According to government reports, Russian vessel activities in UK waters have surged by 30% in the last two years. Russia, however, accuses the UK government of being provocative. A parliamentary committee recently voiced concerns over the UK's readiness to protect its undersea cables, warning of potential "catastrophic disruptions" to critical systems. In a recent incident, the Russian research vessel Yantar was reported to have used lasers against RAF pilots tracking its activities in UK vicinity, a move Defence Secretary John Healey condemned as "deeply dangerous." The vessel has been noted repeatedly crossing into the UK's exclusive economic zone.
During a visit to Portsmouth, Healey emphasized the necessity of investing in cutting-edge technology to counter these threats, saying, "This keeps us ahead of the Russians." He spoke from aboard the XV Patrick Blackett, the Royal Navy's experimental vessel for testing emerging technologies. Demonstrations included a remote-controlled speedboat and a model of Proteus, a pilotless helicopter prototype. Nearby, the Excalibur, a 12-metre, 19-tonne unmanned submarine, displayed its prowess, having been initially launched earlier this year. "We are aware of the risks posed by Russia," Healey stated. "We are vigilant about their naval activities and their ambitions to jeopardize our undersea networks."
First Sea Lord Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins, alongside his Norwegian counterpart Tore O Sandvik, participated in signing the Lunna House Agreement, a defense collaboration to safeguard underwater infrastructure. Highlighting the urgency, Healey remarked, "The threat is evolving rapidly, necessitating a prompt response from the UK."