China-made cameras on UK military drones trigger cyber security probe

Cameras fitted to Royal Navy drones reportedly sent "heartbeat" signals to a Chinese IP address, prompting the UK Ministry of Defence to cut their internet connectivity. The MoD said an investigation found no evidence of its data or systems being accessed or compromised.

In Short

• K3 Scout camera components were sourced through a third-party supplier
• Investigators found heartbeat communications usually sent to show devices are working
• Officials said no military data or systems were accessed or transmitted

Cameras fitted to drones used by the Royal Marines reportedly transmitted data to a Chinese IP address, prompting the UK Ministry of Defence to disconnect the equipment from the internet.

According to a report by The Daily Telegraph, components used in the K3 Scout surveillance drone were sourced by defence contractor Kraken Technology Group from a third party. The cameras fitted to the drones were reportedly manufactured in China.

The MoD reportedly discovered that the cameras were communicating with a Chinese IP address and subsequently removed their internet connectivity.

An investigation found that the cameras had been sending “heartbeat communications”, signals typically used to indicate that a device is operational and functioning normally.

However, the MoD said there was no evidence that its data or systems had been accessed, compromised or transmitted externally.

“A routine cyber vulnerability assessment identified an issue affecting a Kraken Unmanned Surface Vessel sub-system used by the Royal Navy,” an MoD spokesman said.

“A thorough investigation found no evidence of MoD data or systems being accessed, compromised or transmitted externally.”

The spokesman added that the safety of military equipment, networks and data was being taken “extremely seriously”, while stressing that the UK’s security and testing procedures were designed to identify vulnerabilities at an early stage.

The drones are believed to have been acquired as part of a £12.3 million package involving 20 uncrewed boats in March, as the Royal Navy accelerates its adoption of autonomous systems.

At the time, Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Paul Beattie described the acquisition as a “significant milestone” in the development of a “Hybrid Navy”, saying autonomous technology would be integrated with existing military capabilities.

The incident comes as the UK expands its use of drones and autonomous systems across the armed forces. In June, then-Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis announced plans for £5 billion in spending on a “drone transformation” programme aimed at accelerating the deployment of autonomous technology.

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