It was great to be at Thales at Turnchapel Wharf recently for the delivery of the world’s first autonomous mine hunting system for the Royal Navy.
This cutting-edge system uses autonomous drones equipped with AI to conduct mine countermeasure missions which secure Britain's free navigation of the open seas.
I am determined to see Britain's Ocean City, Plymouth, and the surrounding area fulfil its historic role as a driver of technological innovation in the Royal Navy and broader maritime sector.
It is only with strong collaboration between British industry and the military that we can equip our troops with the necessary kit to deter our enemies. Projects like Thales' autonomous mine hunting system will not only bolster our military at a time of global upheaval, but also deliver investment, jobs and growth to our local economy.
