According to a PR published by BAE Systems on January 17, 2025, the United Kingdom has unveiled Herne, an advanced autonomous submarine developed to defend the nation’s vital undersea infrastructure, in response to mounting underwater threats.
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Herne Extra Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle. (Picture source: BAE Systems)

This vessel is part of the UK’s effort to counter a growing strategic challenge posed by adversaries like Russia, whose advanced undersea systems are reportedly mapping and monitoring critical energy and data networks in the North Sea.

This development comes against the backdrop of increasing concerns over the vulnerability of seabed infrastructure, which forms the backbone of modern economies. From fiber-optic data cables carrying global internet traffic to pipelines supplying energy resources, these hidden lifelines are essential for financial systems, national security, and public services. Recent intelligence reports have highlighted Russian activities in the Baltic and North Sea, pointing to the deployment of uncrewed underwater vehicles by Moscow’s Main Directorate for Deep-Sea Research (GUGI), a specialized unit tasked with submarine warfare and undersea reconnaissance.

Herne, developed by British defense giant BAE Systems, represents the UK’s response to these challenges. Demonstrated last month to delegations from 10 allied navies, the vessel showcases Britain’s determination to lead in the underwater defense domain. Designed to operate autonomously for extended periods, Herne can patrol the North Sea undetected for up to two months or remain dormant on the seabed for nine months, ready to respond to potential threats. Its advanced sensors and artificial intelligence capabilities allow it to monitor underwater infrastructure, detect anomalies, and identify hostile activities without direct human intervention.

The strategic importance of this technology is underscored by the increasing sophistication of underwater threats. NATO has long been aware of the risks posed by hostile states and non-state actors targeting undersea infrastructure. The suspected sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in 2022 served as a wake-up call, highlighting the ease with which such attacks could disrupt energy supplies and destabilize regions. While investigations into that incident continue, the West has since ramped up its efforts to secure critical assets below the waves.

The race to secure undersea networks is far from over. As Russia continues to refine its underwater capabilities, Western nations face a critical window to deploy countermeasures. Delays could leave key infrastructure exposed to sabotage or disruption, with potentially devastating consequences for global connectivity and energy supplies.