The multi-ocean surveillance ships (MROS) will be operated by the Royal Navy and have been described by the Ministry of Defense as “vital” to national security. The ships will be adaptable and able to operate autonomous underwater surveillance and maritime warfare systems on the seabed, with the first arriving in January, months ahead of schedule. Ben Wallace, the defense secretary, said: “In the face of Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and Putin’s reckless disregard for international arrangements designed to maintain global order, it is right to prioritize delivering capabilities that protect our national infrastructure”. He added that further announcements about investments in the Navy will be made in the coming weeks. The seabed is increasingly used for communications and energy supply, posing a greater risk to the national infrastructure of the West. The high-tech ships will aim to protect the UK’s undersea cables and pipelines from enemy attack. As a result of the accelerated purchases, the plan to build a new royal yacht, which was to be named after the Duke of Edinburgh, has been scrapped, Mr Wallace said. The flagship ship, which was to cost around £200m, was to be used to host trade shows, ministerial summits and diplomatic talks.
