Royal Navy Drones Found Sending Data to China Amid Security Concerns

• •Royal Navy drones were found sending data to a Chinese server during a security assessment.
• •The Ministry of Defence confirmed no sensitive information was compromised.
• •The incident raises concerns about foreign components in military technology.

Cameras on Royal Navy K3 Scout drones were discovered sending 'heartbeat communications' to a device in China during a routine cyber vulnerability assessment. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that the transmissions only indicated the cameras were operational, and no sensitive data was compromised. The K3 Scouts, valued at £12 million, are produced by Kraken Technology Group, with camera components from a third-party supplier. Following the discovery, the MoD cut internet access to the cameras to prevent further communication. The incident has raised alarms about the security of foreign-made components in UK military equipment, especially amid increasing concerns over Chinese espionage. The Royal Navy has 20 K3 Scouts as part of Operation Beehive, intended for various military operations, including surveillance and force protection. The breach highlights vulnerabilities in military supply chains and the potential risks of unauthorized connectivity.