UK Royal Navy Reintroduces SWEEP System for Autonomous Minesweeping After 20-Year Hiatus

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The Royal Navy has formally reintroduced a minesweeping capability with the acceptance of its first autonomous system, known as SWEEP. This development marks a significant shift in the United Kingdom’s approach to naval mine countermeasures, reflecting broader strategic goals outlined in the government’s Strategic Defence Review. The SWEEP system, developed by TKMS Atlas UK Ltd under a £25 million contract, is designed to detect and neutralise modern digital sea mines that pose increasing threats to maritime operations.

SWEEP. Royal Navy

SWEEP integrates unmanned surface vessels with remotely operated payloads capable of identifying acoustic and magnetic signatures of ships and submarines. These features enable the system to simulate a ship’s profile, triggering mines to detonate at a safe distance. The system’s remote operation from land or sea-based command centres is intended to reduce risk to personnel while maintaining access to strategic sea lanes.

The reintroduction of minesweeping capabilities comes after a 20-year gap, with the Royal Navy having retired its last dedicated minesweeping assets in 2005. The new system is part of a broader transition toward autonomous maritime operations, which includes integration with other platforms such as the Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) programme and SeaCat unmanned underwater vehicles.

According to Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the SWEEP system is expected to support freedom of manoeuvre for UK naval assets and enhance operational safety. The Ministry of Defence has stated that the contract has supported 55 skilled jobs across the UK, indicating a domestic industrial component to the programme’s implementation.

The deployment of SWEEP aligns with the Royal Navy’s Mine Hunting Capability Programme, which aims to phase out traditional crewed minehunting vessels in favour of autonomous systems. This transition is framed as a response to evolving global threats and the need for more flexible, scalable solutions in contested maritime environments.

The system’s modularity and portability suggest potential for rapid deployment in various operational theatres. Its ability to operate alongside other autonomous systems may also facilitate coordinated mine countermeasure strategies, particularly in multinational or coalition contexts. The emphasis on remote operation and automation reflects a broader trend in naval technology toward reducing human exposure in high-risk environments.

While the introduction of SWEEP represents a technological advancement, its long-term effectiveness will depend on continued integration with other systems and adaptability to emerging mine technologies. The Royal Navy’s operational evaluation and assurance processes will likely play a critical role in determining the system’s readiness for full-scale deployment.

The acceptance of SWEEP into Royal Navy service signals a strategic pivot toward autonomous mine countermeasures. It restores a capability that has been absent for two decades and introduces a platform designed to address contemporary threats with reduced risk to personnel. The system’s development and deployment reflect ongoing efforts to modernise naval operations and maintain maritime security in increasingly complex environments.

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