An investigation into surveillance equipment fitted to Royal Navy unmanned vessels has raised concerns over military supply-chain security after cameras containing Chinese-made components were found communicating with an internet address in China.
The camera on top of a K3 Scout uncrewed vessel, used by the Royal Navy in Portsmouth harbour. Parts of the camera were made in China. Via The TelegraphThe cameras were installed on K3 Scout unmanned surface vessels used by Royal Marines and other specialist British forces, according to a report by The Telegraph. The vessels form part of the Royal Navy's push to expand its use of autonomous systems for surveillance and maritime operations.
A technical assessment reportedly discovered that the cameras were sending routine electronic signals to an IP address located in China. The communications were described as "heartbeat" traffic - automated messages commonly used by connected devices to confirm that they remain online and operational. The Ministry of Defence said investigators found no evidence that classified information, military systems or other sensitive data had been accessed or transmitted abroad. Nevertheless, internet connectivity associated with the cameras was removed after the issue was discovered.
The episode has renewed scrutiny of the increasingly complex international supply chains behind modern defense equipment, where a system designed and assembled in one country can contain electronic components manufactured across several others.
Concerns over sensitive military locations
The K3 Scout
