UK Probe Finds 20 Royal Navy Drones Sent Heartbeat Data to China IP
Updated
Updated · Newsweek · Aug 11
UK Probe Finds 20 Royal Navy Drones Sent Heartbeat Data to China IP
3 articles · Updated · Newsweek · Aug 11
Summary
A UK Ministry of Defence investigation found Kraken K3 Scout surveillance drones used by Special Forces were sending online “heartbeat” signals to an IP address in China.
The issue surfaced in a routine cyber vulnerability assessment; the MoD and supplier Kraken said no MOD data or systems were accessed, compromised or transmitted externally, and the vulnerability has been closed.
The 20 drones were bought in March for £12.3 million for Project Beehive and were slated for naval security missions in the Strait of Hormuz, raising concern that cleared Special Boat Service personnel or operational details could have been exposed.
Kraken said the cameras came from a third-party supplier and only a small number of components originated abroad, while the K3 platform has also featured in NATO Baltic trials and a $49 million US special operations contract.
The disclosure lands as Britain tries to improve economic ties with Beijing while still blocking Chinese-linked projects and warning, alongside Five Eyes partners, about espionage and cyber risks tied to technology.