Thales UK and Kongsberg Maritime have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) proposal for the Royal Navy’s future Type 92 (T92) uncrewed surface vessel requirement.
The proposed system would combine Thales’ underwater sensing, tactical planning and secure communications with Kongsberg Maritime’s Arctic Hunter uncrewed surface vessel (USV) and autonomous technology.
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According to Thales, this arrangement is intended to support the Royal Navy’s Hybrid Navy concept, which involves connecting crewed and uncrewed platforms, sensors and other systems into a coordinated operational network.
Thales would contribute sonar technology deployed on Royal Navy T23 and T26 frigates, acoustic modelling, tactical planning and military communications.
Its contribution would also include AI-assisted data exploitation developed by the company’s cortAix AI accelerator.
Kongsberg Maritime would provide the Arctic Hunter USV as the autonomous platform for the proposed ASW system.
The combined capability would be designed to detect and track underwater threats across the North Atlantic and High North.
The cooperation forms part of wider UK-Norwegian defence and industrial collaboration and is intended to support maritime security and Nato deterrence in the region.
The agreement does not constitute a Royal Navy contract or confirm the selection of either company’s proposed solution for the Type 92 requirement.
Thales UK chief executive Phil Siveter said: “This cooperation is about bringing together complementary strengths to deliver a connected, adaptable and effective Anti-Submarine Warfare solution, while reinforcing the UK and Norway’s shared commitment to security and deterrence across the North Atlantic.
“The future Hybrid Navy will be defined by how effectively the platforms are connected, how they share information and how quickly they can turn that information into operational advantage.”
