To protect undersea cables, Royal Navy goes fishing for suppliers to build Type 93 robot submarine

Industry interest sought

The Royal Navy has approached the defence industry ahead of a possible procurement process for the Type 93, a large uncrewed submarine. The notice seeks builders of Extra-Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles, along with payload makers and suppliers of related technology.

The Navy is also looking for firms working on autonomous operations, AI and mission-management systems. Integrators and companies able to provide support throughout a platform’s service life are invited to register interest. The Ministry of Defence says the preliminary market engagement does not commit the Royal Navy to proceeding with a procurement.

Part of a wider vision

The Type 93 is intended to contribute to the Navy’s Hybrid Navy plan, which First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins outlined in a speech at the Royal United Services Institute earlier this year. The initiative envisages a force combining crewed, uncrewed and autonomous platforms. An uncrewed combat submarine could operate on its own or alongside crewed vessels, helping defend UK waters and infrastructure such as undersea cables.

Possible prototype candidates

The article also describes planned roles for other numbered systems: Type 91 as a missile carrier, likely using targeting information from a Type 94 drone. Six Common Combat Vessels are planned to serve as command-and-control hubs for the drone ships.