UK Navy Drone Cameras Sent Heartbeat Signals To China, Defence Ministry Confirms

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has maintained that no sensitive military information was accessed or transmitted abroad after surveillance drones operated by the Royal Marines were found communicating with an internet address in China. The discovery involved K3 Scout unmanned surface vehicles and has raised fresh concerns about the presence of Chinese-made technology in sensitive British defence equipment.

The issue was identified during what the MoD described as a routine cyber vulnerability assessment. Cameras installed on the unmanned vessels were found to be sending “heartbeat” communications, sometimes referred to as a “squark”, to an IP address in China. Such signals are generally designed to indicate that a device is switched on and functioning, although depending on the system, they can potentially contain information such as a device’s location.

The MoD said an investigation found no evidence that its systems or sensitive data had been compromised. According to a BBC report, the department also stated that there was no evidence of MoD data being accessed, compromised or externally transmitted. The internet connection used by the cameras has since been removed, while the department has maintained that its testing and assurance procedures are intended to identify potential vulnerabilities before they develop into security incidents.

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The K3 Scout fleet is among the newer unmanned maritime systems being used by Britain’s Royal Marines. A fleet of 20 vessels, reportedly valued at around £12 million, has been in service since March and can perform a range of missions, including maritime awareness, force protection and logistics. The systems have also been used by personnel linked to the Special Boat Service, adding to concerns about the potential exposure of sensitive operational environments.

The drones were supplied by British defence company Kraken Technology Group, which sourced the cameras through a third-party supplier. The supplier had reportedly provided assurances regarding the security of the equipment, but an investigation subsequently established that the cameras contained Chinese-made components and were communicating with an IP address in China. Kraken has maintained that it is confident no sensitive information was shared, while the MoD has said the connectivity has been addressed.

The incident has nevertheless renewed wider scrutiny of Britain's defence supply chain and its dependence on technology manufactured or sourced through complex international networks. The UK has previously taken measures to reduce perceived security risks associated with Chinese technology, including restrictions on Huawei's involvement in its 5G network. The latest episode comes amid continuing British security concerns over Chinese espionage and interference, making supply-chain monitoring an increasingly important part of protecting sensitive defence systems.

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