Iran war drives urgent need to counter underwater attack drones

The UK and US are looking for technology to counter the threat posed by underwater drones to ships, harbors and other critical maritime infrastructure, and are asking industry for answers.

News of the AUV tender comes against the backdrop of the US deploying uncrewed drone boats around Iran as the conflict heats up. Iran is believed to be behind at least two explosive-laden sea drone attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf since the US and Israel first attacked Iran on February 28. The first drone attack reportedly took place on March 1, about 44 nautical miles off ​Oman, and the second, on March 5, hit a Bahamas-flagged crude oil tanker near the Iraqi port of Khor Al Zubair.

Iran is known to possess – and use – autonomous underwater vehicles in conflicts dating back two years. Specifically, Iran was spotted shipping torpedo-like drones and "one-way attack" underwater drones to Houthi rebels ...