UK announces £90 million Atlantic Net framework with Ocean Infinity

The UK Ministry of Defence has announced a framework with Ocean Infinity Solutions for Atlantic Net, a planned North Atlantic surveillance network backed by an initial investment of £90 million. The system is intended to detect submarines and other underwater activity and help protect undersea infrastructure, including cables and energy networks.

Atlantic Net is designed to bring together uncrewed platforms, underwater sensors and artificial intelligence in a single surveillance service. The Royal Navy would direct the mission, while Ocean Infinity would own and operate the drones and sensors, according to the Ministry. The network is intended to provide earlier warning to submarine-hunting warships and Astute-class submarines.

The framework is expected to support almost 200 skilled jobs and Ocean Infinity’s immediate supply chain, the Ministry said. Pollard said British small and medium-sized suppliers would provide most of the platforms and systems. The £90 million is described as an initial investment enabled by the framework, rather than a full account of the network’s eventual cost.

Defence Readiness and Industry Minister Luke Pollard said Atlantic Net could become...