UK Royal Navy drone cameras allegedly sent data to China, prompting security review

Cameras fitted to surveillance drones used by the Royal Marines are reported to have transmitted data to a Chinese IP address, prompting the Ministry of Defence to remove their internet connectivity. The issue is said to involve K3 Scout drones used by UK special forces since March, according to reports citing an investigation into the equipment. The incident has raised fresh questions about the security of military supply chains and the use of third-party sourced components in defence systems.

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The reported problem was identified during a routine cyber vulnerability assessment, after which the MoD said it found an issue affecting a Kraken unmanned surface vessel sub-system used by the Royal Navy. According to the reports, the cameras were made in China and had been sourced through a third party by Kraken Technology Group. The investigation is said to have found that the cameras were sending so-called heartbeat communications, which are used to confirm that a device is functioning normally.

An MoD spokesman said there was no evidence that its data or systems had been compromised or transmitted. The ministry also said the safety of equipment, networks and data is taken extremely seriously. It added that its assurance and testing processes are designed to identify and address potential vulnerabilities early, and that routine security activity continues across its systems and equipment.

The reported response suggests the issue was contained before any confirmed breach of classified material. The case matters because it sits at the intersection of defence procurement, cyber security and concerns over foreign-linked technology in military hardware. The drones were reportedly bought as part of a £12.3 million package for 20 uncrewed boats in March, underlining how quickly autonomous systems are being introduced into British forces.

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In June, then-Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis announced £5 billion would be spent on a drone transformation of the Armed Forces, signalling a wider push to accelerate autonomous capability. At the time of the March purchase, Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Paul Beattie described the move as a significant milestone in the journey towards a Hybrid Navy. He said integrating cutting-edge autonomous technology with existing capabilities would help keep forces at the forefront of maritime innovation and warfighting effectiveness.

That ambition now sits alongside the practical challenge of ensuring that imported or third-party components do not create hidden security risks. What remains unclear is whether the reported transmissions were limited to routine device checks or whether any other data was involved. It is also not clear how long the cameras were connected before the issue was found, or whether any wider review of similar equipment is under way.

The key question now is whether the incident leads to tighter procurement checks, further technical testing or changes to how the armed forces source autonomous systems.

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