Kongsberg Launches Arctic Hunter: Converted Trawlers to Hunt Russian Submarines for UK Navy
Norway's Kongsberg reveals the Arctic Hunter, a converted 56-meter trawler equipped with advanced sonar to help the Royal Navy track Russian submarines in th...
POLICY WIRE — Cologne, Germany — Norwegian defense firm Kongsberg Maritime has unveiled its Arctic Hunter concept, an unmanned surface vessel designed to counter Russian submarine activity in the Arctic. The system is being pitched to the British Royal Navy as a key component of its expanding hybrid fleet.
The strategy involves adapting standard 56-meter commercial fishing trawlers for military use. By stripping out the existing fish-processing equipment, the company aims to create a rugged platform capable of operating autonomously in extreme northern conditions.
Each Arctic Hunter unit will utilize Thales UK’s specialized submarine-hunting sonar alongside integrated autonomous systems. This technology stack enables the vessels to scour the High North for underwater threats without the need for human crew members.
The design is specifically targeted to meet the Royal Navy’s Type 92 Large USV requirements. Kongsberg emphasizes that the first batch of these vessels could be constructed in the United Kingdom, supporting local industrial capabilities.
Operational projections indicate the trawler-based USVs can remain on station for approximately 60 days. This endurance allows them to monitor critical Arctic shipping routes frequently utilized by Russian naval assets.
The initiative aligns with the broader defense shift toward pairing uncrewed surface vessels with traditional warships. This hybrid approach is intended to extend the Royal Navy’s surveillance capacity and response times in contested waters.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
