UK and France receive new minehunting technology
The UK RN took delivery of a remotely operated USV on 23 November. (Photo: DE&S)
While politics divide the British and French governments, both countries have made steady progress on their joint minehunting project.
The UK MoD and French defence procurement agency DGA have each accepted delivery of new minehunting systems under the binational joint Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) programme.
On 23 November, the RN officially received a demonstrator system from Thales UK, OCCAR and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) and it will now commence rigorous trials.
The remotely operated USV, named RNMB (Royal Navy Motor Boat) Apollo, can be controlled from sea or shore, deploying a towed synthetic aperture minehunting (TSAM) sonar to detect sea mines.
The technology sits alongside other MMCM systems provided through an extra
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear]()
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
![US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes]()
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
-
![Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates]()
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.
