Mothership for autonomous minehunters arrives in the UK
MV Island Crown will undergo minor modifications before entering service hosting autonomous minehunting capabilities. (Photo: UK MoD/ Crown Copyright)
A commercial vessel that will be converted for military use and serve as a mothership for autonomous minehunting capabilities has arrived in the UK.
The MV Island Crown will undergo modifications before entering service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) later this spring.
The ship is the second commercial platform to be procured by the UK MoD recently following the arrival of the first Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance (MROS) ship in January.
Island Crown was purchased by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) for £40 million ($49 million) and will only require minimal work to be ready for military use. This will focus
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
Another $18.4 billion committed to USN Virginia-class submarines
The contract was awarded to HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division and General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB). As well as for the building of the boats, contract money will also go towards improving productivity at the shipyards, workforce support and other investment.
-
The Netherlands cleared to purchase $2.2 billion in Tomahawk missiles
The approved purchase is for Tomahawk Block IV and Block V missiles, control systems, telemetry missiles and communication and broadcast systems.
-
The Philippines strengthens maritime defences amid rising tensions in South China Sea
The Philippine Navy is fast-tracking its maritime modernisation with new warships, unmanned platforms, and international shipbuilding partnerships to bolster its regional deterrence posture.
-
Taiwan multiplies mine-layer vessel and UAV inventories to deter PLA
Taiwan is strengthening its deterrence against the PLA through an asymmetric arsenal that includes fast mine-laying vessels and domestically developed UAVs.