Chinese-Made Components on UK Naval Drone Cameras Sent Info to Beijing

Cameras with Chinese-made components installed on Royal Navy drone boats were found communicating with a system in China. The cameras were fitted to K3 Scout uncrewed surface vessels used by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines for surveillance, force protection and other maritime operations, The Telegraph reported.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. A routine cybersecurity assessment found that the cameras were sending so-called “heartbeat communications” to an internet address in China. Such signals typically confirm that a connected device is online and functioning. The Ministry of Defence said its investigation found no evidence that sensitive information, military systems or government data had been accessed, compromised or transmitted outside authorized channels. There is no evidence of MoD data or systems being accessed, compromised or transmitted externally, according to the ministry. The ministry said its testing procedures had identified the potential vulnerability at an early stage and that it continued to conduct routine security checks across its equipment and networks. The cameras contained a small number of Chinese-made components and were supplied by a third-party contractor, according to Kraken Technology Group, the British company that manufactures the K3 Scout. The contractor had reportedly provided assurances that the cameras met security requirements, including standards connected to the US National Defense Authorization Act, which restricts the use of certain Chinese-made surveillance and telecommunications equipment in federal procurement. Other Topics of Interest Russia Escalates Drone Strikes on Ukraine’s Naftogaz Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine’s Naftogaz Group, striking Ukrnafta production assets, drilling rigs and filling stations. Kraken said it conducted a full audit with the Royal Navy after the communications were discovered. The Ministry of Defence removed internet connectivity from the cameras following the discovery. The Telegraph reported that concerns had been raised that the equipment could have captured images of British personnel or information related to training and operations. The newspaper also cited concerns that cameras could have recorded activity near closed meetings involving military officials. The Telegraph said that material related to preparations for possible British involvement in a maritime security mission in the Strait of Hormuz had been recorded on the devices. Britain bought 20 K3 Scout vessels under Project Beehive, a £12.3 million ($16.5 million) program intended to integrate autonomous systems with conventional warships. The Royal Marines have used the vessels since March. The naval drones are expected to support surveillance, training, force protection and potential precision-strike missions. The K3 Scout is an 8.4-meter autonomous vessel capable of reaching 55 knots and remaining at sea for up to 30 days, depending on the mission. It can carry up to 600 kilograms of cameras, sensors or other equipment. The vessels were also tested during a NATO exercise in the Baltic Sea in June 2025. Kraken has a separate $49 million agreement with US Special Operations Command to develop uncrewed surface and underwater vessels. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.