{"id":2642802,"date":"2026-08-10T17:35:55","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T21:35:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/uk-naval-drones-had-components-that-transmitted-data-to-china\/"},"modified":"2026-08-10T17:39:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T21:39:05","slug":"uk-naval-drones-had-components-that-transmitted-data-to-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/uk-naval-drones-had-components-that-transmitted-data-to-china\/","title":{"rendered":"UK naval drones had components that transmitted data to China"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fuk-naval-drones-had-components-that-transmitted-data-to-china%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2642802&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article reports that the Royal Navy\u2019s sea drones, specifically the K3 Scout surveillance drones made by Kraken Technology Group, were found to have Chinese-made components in their cameras that transmitted heartbeat communications to an IP address in china. The UK Ministry of Defense stated that a thorough examination revealed no evidence of system compromise,and all internet connectivity was removed from the cameras after the breach was discovered. This incident raises concerns about Chinese espionage efforts and the need to audit military equipment for unknown Chinese components. It also highlights broader issues of reliance on Chinese materials in Western military supply chains, such as magnets used in F-35 aircraft, which have previously led to production delays. Additionally, intelligence agencies like MI5 have warned of Chinese attempts to interfere and influence through employment platforms like LinkedIn. The case underscores ongoing efforts to remove Chinese technology from critical infrastructure and military systems to prevent espionage and safeguard national security.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cameras on the Royal Navy\u2019s sea drones contained components that reportedly <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/news\/2026\/08\/09\/spy-cameras-on-navy-drones-secretly-sent-data-to-china\/\">sent communications<\/a> to an IP address in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/china\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"232\">China<\/a>, the <em>Telegraph<\/em> reported on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The U.K.\u2019s Royal Marines have been using the fleet of K3 Scout surveillance drones, made by Kraken Technology Group, since March. The cameras on the surface vessel drone contained Chinese-made components that had been transmitting \u201cheartbeat communications.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4681139\/uk-naval-drones-components-transmit-data-china\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>UK naval drones had components that secretly transmitted data to China<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4681024\/israel-netanyahu-reject-gaza-peace-plan-board-of-peace-road-map-agreement\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Board of Peace undeterred by Israel\u2019s rejection of peace plan at this stage<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4680798\/strong-magnitude-earthquake-strikes-colombia-ecuador\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Strong 7.4 magnitude earthquake strikes Colombia and neighboring Ecuador<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense said there has been a thorough investigation that found \u201cno evidence\u201d of their systems being compromised by the transmissions.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA routine cyber vulnerability assessment identified an issue affecting a Kraken Unmanned Surface Vessel sub-system used by the Royal Navy,\u201d said the spokesperson. \u201cA thorough investigation found no evidence of MOD data or systems being accessed, compromised or transmitted externally.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The K3 Scout unmanned surface vessel, or <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/drones\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"920\">drone<\/a> boat, is roughly 27 feet in length, can carry more than a 1,300-pound payload, and can reach up to 55 knots per hour, according to the Kraken Technology Group\u2019s website. The U.K. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/military\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"266\">military<\/a> ultimately removed all internet connectivity from the cameras after it discovered the breach.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Tories said the government should \u201curgently audit\u201d its equipment to ensure there aren\u2019t any more unknown Chinese components.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This incident highlights concerns that Beijing could be trying to spy on the West and the effort to ensure its components are not used in Western military equipment, critical infrastructure, electronics, and batteries. Fully removing China from supply chains has been a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/nation\/u-s-companies-work-to-cut-reliance-on-china-for-critical-minerals-used-in-weapons\">major effort<\/a> and includes attempts to ban Chinese phonemaker Huawei from the West\u2019s 5G networks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Last year, MI5 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/news\/2025\/11\/18\/mi5-issues-espionage-alert-over-chinese-spy-fears\/\">issued<\/a> a security alert to U.K. politicians, warning that Chinese intelligence services were \u201crelentless\u201d in their effort to \u201cinterfere\u201d and \u201cinfluence\u201d them using employment websites such as LinkedIn.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4675831\/ntsb-investigating-new-mexico-plane-crash-military-jamming-activities\/\">THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE NEW MEXICO PLANE CRASH TIED TO MILITARY JAMMING ACTIVITIES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A 2025 U.S. Government Accountability Office report found that the U.S. military is vulnerable due to its dependency on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/assets\/gao-25-107283.pdf\">materials produced by China<\/a> for critical weapons. The U.S. Department of War relies on a global network of more than 200,000 suppliers for weapons, systems, and noncombatant goods such as batteries and manufacturing equipment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In one example, the report said that the Pentagon, through Lockheed Martin, found out that magnets used in some F-35 aircraft originated in China. It said, \u201cThe F-35 prime contractor, Lockheed Martin, identified prohibited Chinese magnets in the F-35 supply chain and notified DOD in 2023 and 2024. DOD subsequently paused manufacturing for several months to identify alternative suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Royal Navy drones&#8217; cameras sent data to China, report<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2671,"featured_media":2642803,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Royal-navy.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[19536,83943,12646,67907,73707],"class_list":["post-2642802","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-cybersecurity","tag-data-transmission","tag-espionage","tag-naval-drones","tag-uk-military"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Royal-navy.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2642802","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2671"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2642802"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2642802\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2642805,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2642802\/revisions\/2642805"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2642803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2642802"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2642802"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2642802"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}