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16:15 GMT
LONDON, Dec 8 (KUNA) -- UK Defence Secretary John Healey has visited HM Naval Base Portsmouth to unveil early work on the groundbreaking Atlantic Bastion programme, with millions of pounds invested this year in development and testing of innovative anti-submarine sensor technology.
Atlantic Bastion will create an advanced hybrid naval force to defend the UK and NATO allies against evolving threats. It will enable the UK to find, track and, if required, act against adversaries with unprecedented effectiveness across vast areas of ocean.
Healey said in a statement on Monday, "People should be in no doubt of the new threats facing the UK and our allies under the sea, where adversaries are targeting infrastructure that is so critical to our way of life.
"This new era of threat demands a new era for defence, and we must rapidly innovate at a wartime pace to maintain the battlefield edge as we deliver on the Strategic Defence Review.
"Our pioneering Atlantic Bastion programme is a blueprint for the future of the Royal Navy. "It combines the latest autonomous and AI technologies with world-class warships and aircraft to create a highly advanced hybrid fighting force to detect, deter and defeat those who threaten us. (end)
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