The Royal Navy is facing fresh security scrutiny after it emerged that components installed on a fleet of £12.3 million unmanned vessels were transmitting data to an internet address in China, prompting an investigation by the Ministry of Defence.
The issue was discovered on cameras fitted to K3 Scout uncrewed surface vessels, which form part of the Royal Navy's Project Beehive programme. The vessels are used by the Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines for surveillance, training and operational activities. Following the discovery, the MoD removed internet connectivity from the affected equipment and launched a review of the system.
