UK Surveillance Drones Transmit Data to China, Sparking Security Concerns

Surveillance drones used by the United Kingdom Special Forces were found to have sent data to China, according to a report that raises renewed security concerns. This comes at a time when London aims to reduce tensions with Beijing. An investigation by the UK’s Ministry of Defence revealed that a fleet of Kraken K3 Scout drones had been transmitting online ‘heartbeat communications’ to an IP address in China, as reported by the Telegraph.

Supply and Security Background

The drones were supplied by Kraken Technology Group, a British defense contractor specializing in unmanned maritime systems. The cameras in these drones were sourced from a third-party supplier, which had assured Kraken that the devices had cleared security checks. This incident comes after warnings from the UK and its intelligence-sharing allies—the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—about Chinese involvement in technology-based intelligence gathering. The UK has already undertaken measures such as excluding Huawei from its 5G network development.

Deployment Plans

The drones are intended for a planned British naval mission to secure commercial routes in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a defense source cited by the Telegraph. These revelations have also raised potential concerns about the exposure of personnel, such as those from the Special Boat Service and the Royal Marines, who possess security clearances.

Despite the concerns, Kraken reported that only a ‘small number of components’ originated from outside the UK. It noted that a thorough audit conducted with the Royal Navy concluded no sensitive information had been shared beyond intended channels and any vulnerabilities were addressed.

The UK’s Ministry of Defence confirmed it found no evidence of the transmission of sensitive data outside the country. Newsweek has reached out to the UK Defence Ministry, Kraken, and the Chinese Embassy in London for comments.

K3 Scout Drones Capabilities

The K3 Scout drone can operate continuously for up to 30 days; it measures 28 feet in length and can carry a payload of up to 1,322 pounds. This includes radar and electro-optical sensors required for surveillance and electronic warfare. The Royal Navy acquired 20 such drones in March, spending £12.3 million (about $16.6 million), under Project Beehive, which plans to incorporate both manned and unmanned naval vessels.

The K3s are part of a defense initiative to safeguard navigation in strategic waterways like the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, the K3 was involved in NATO trials in the Baltic Sea, which focused on autonomous air, surface, and underwater systems.

Last year, the U.S. Special Operations Command awarded Kraken a $49 million contract to develop prototype underwater and surface drones.

Diplomatic Challenges with China

The report emerges as the UK navigates a complex relationship with China, balancing economic interests and national security. Former Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Beijing marked the first by a British leader in eight years, amid trade tensions.

In parallel, the UK government remains cautious about potential espionage and cyber threats from China. In March, the government halted a project by Chinese company Ming Yang Smart Energy to build an offshore wind turbine factory in Scotland, citing ‘national security risks.’

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese expert on military affairs, told the Global Times that the Telegraph’s report had ‘Cold War overtones,’ suggesting Western narratives of a ‘China threat’ were reflective of their historical practices.

Late last year, MI5 cautioned lawmakers about Chinese-influenced LinkedIn accounts offering consulting work to government officials in a possible attempt to build relationships. This followed high-profile allegations against British citizens, later dismissed, for gathering insider info for a Chinese intelligence agency.