UNIPA News(London) 06 June:The United Kingdom is expected to place greater emphasis on autonomous and uncrewed maritime systems in the Gulf, reducing reliance on traditional platforms such as minesweepers, according to remarks made by Minister of State for Defence Lord Coaker in the House of Lords.
Responding to a question on 4 June regarding the UK’s permanent military presence in the Gulf, Lord Coaker said the Royal Navy’s future direction is increasingly focused on a “hybrid Navy” concept that integrates artificial intelligence, advanced intelligence gathering and drone technology.
Addressing concerns raised by Conservative peer Lord Howell of Guildford about the need for more effective maritime tracking of legal and illegal shipping, as well as surface and underwater vessels, Lord Coaker said autonomous systems would play a central role in delivering future maritime security capabilities.
He indicated that, rather than relying primarily on conventional minesweepers, the UK aims to use autonomous technologies operating above, on and below the sea surface. As an example, he cited RFA Lyme Bay, describing its autonomous capabilities as a model for future operations designed to protect British interests in the region.
Lord Coaker said the effectiveness of such systems would depend on robust intelligence and cooperation among partner nations.
The issue was further discussed during an exchange with Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton, who suggested that the changing nature of underwater detection could result in the absence of traditional minehunters in the Gulf, as autonomous methods become increasingly effective.
Lord Lancaster also questioned whether the Royal Navy would again prioritise forward-deploying a frigate or destroyer to the region as additional vessels enter service, noting the importance of HMS Lancaster’s long-standing deployment before its decommissioning last year.
In response, Lord Coaker said future force-posture decisions in the Gulf would be determined by government priorities. However, he added that the need to base autonomous support vessels and uncrewed maritime capabilities in the region would be taken into consideration during future discussions.
