WASHINGTON -- The U.K. Ministry of Defense has awarded a £12.3 million ($16.4 million) contract to British defence technology start-up Kraken Technology Group to supply a fleet of 20 uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for the Royal Navy. The contract was awarded following a competitive tender process involving 12 bidders, including major defence companies such as BAE Systems, Kongsberg, and L3Harris.

The USVs have been procured as part of project BEEHIVE, a Royal Navy initiative intended to accelerate experimentation and integrate large numbers of relatively low-cost uncrewed platforms alongside conventional ships. Managed through the Royal Navy’s Surface Flotilla (SURFLOT), Kraken’s USVs will be operated by the Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines.

Source: Naval Lookout
Associated URL: https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-orders-20-high-speed-usvs-for-training-and-development/

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Navy and Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) selected Anduril to provide a prototype of its Dive-XL autonomous submarine for the Combat Autonomous Maritime Platform (CAMP) project. Under the contract, Anduril will conduct an operationally representative long-range demonstration within four months of the award. The Dive-XL design is based on the company’s extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XL-AUV) platform that also underpins the Ghost Shark systems currently being delivered to the Royal Australian Navy. Anduril has also delivered its 19-ft Dive-LD large diameter underwater vehicle to the U.S. Navy.

According to Anduril representatives, the CAMP effort aligns with recent U.S. government and naval guidance emphasizing expanded use of autonomous maritime systems, including the White House’s Maritime Action Plan and new guidance issued by Chief of Naval Operations Daryl Caudle. The company said its XL-AUV platform is intended to support long-range and long-endurance missions independently or in coordination with other crewed and uncrewed systems. Anduril did not disclose the value of the CAMP contract or whether it is working with additional industry partners.

Source: Breaking Defense
Associated URL: https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/diu-navy-tap-anduril-to-prototype-dive-xl-autonomous-submarine/
Author: Diana Stancy 

BEIJING -- China's state-backed media has officially reported the arrival of two new Project 055 Renhai class cruisers to the East Sea Fleet as of Sunday, March 8. The two ships, Dongguan (109) and Anqing (110), are the first of PLAN's advanced Project 055 warships to be deployed with the East Sea Fleet. The previously commissioned eight have been split between the North and South Sea Fleets. Both ships had been seen in social media images since January, moored at the East Sea Fleet base in Zhoushan, indicating that a commissioning to the fleet was imminent.

The two ships are the first of the Project 055 second batch to come into service. These new ships have a redesigned forward bridge and may feature improved anti-air defenses and systems. The previous batch of eight ships had all entered service by 2023.

The class is China's most advanced surface ship, boasting 112 universal VLS cells capable of firing HHQ-9 SAMS, YJ-18A anti-ship missiles, and CY-5 anti-submarine missiles. The ships displace around 11,000 tons standard and between 12,000 and 13,000 tons fully loaded, leading to discrepancies over whether the ship is classified as a destroyer or cruiser. China refers to the vessels as large destroyers, whereas NATO members designate the ships as cruisers due to their size.

Source: Global Times
Associated URL: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1356602.shtml
Author: Liang Rui, Liu Xuanzun, Guo Yuandan