Royal Navy opens door to uncrewed submarines tender

The UK Royal Navy is sounding out potential suppliers for extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles (XLUUVs) in a first step towards a possible tender process.

Small and medium-sized marine businesses are being invited to register their interest in a Royal Navy programme covering the development of the vehicles under a Ministry of Defence preliminary market engagement notice issued this week for its Type 93 and AUKUS Signature Payload Programme.

The Royal Navy is looking to build a clearer picture of available industrial capabilities as it develops the Type 93 capability under the AUKUS Pillar II Signature Project, the defence and security partnership between Australia, the UK and the US.

The notice invites interest from platform providers, payload developers, software and technology suppliers, systems integrators and through-life support businesses.

Specific areas include autonomy, artificial intelligence and mission management systems, alongside associated payloads and enabling functions.

The Royal Navy is initially considering platforms approximately 2m in diameter and 12m long, but companies offering vehicles of other dimensions are also encouraged to register.

“The purpose of the registration of interest is to gather a comprehensive list of interested suppliers for XLUUV market segments and the wider ecosystem,” the notice says.

The MOD has identified small and medium-sized enterprises as particularly suitable participants. Businesses registering their interest may be invited to take part in workshops, one-to-one meetings, industry days and written requests for information.

Responses will help inform requirements development, future market engagement and wider programme planning, according to the notice.

The engagement forms part of the Royal Navy’s wider drive to integrate autonomous and uncrewed maritime capabilities, supporting the transition towards a Hybrid Navy. The programme aligns with the Strategic Defence Review, Defence Investment Plan and AUKUS Pillar II priorities.

Businesses are asked to submit their expressions of interest by 29 October 2026 at 17:00 GMT, although registration will remain open throughout the preliminary engagement programme, which has an engagement deadline of 31 March 2027.

Excalibur demonstrator

At 12m long and approximately 2.2m in diameter, the Royal Navy’s XV Excalibur demonstrator is close to the initial dimensions being considered for its Type 93 XLUUV programme.

Built by Plymouth-based MSubs under Project CETUS, Excalibur has a reported displacement of 19 tonnes.

Launched in February 2025 and formally unveiled at HMNB Devonport in May, Excalibur was developed to test the capabilities of large autonomous underwater vehicles. It was handed over to the Royal Navy in December 2025 for an extended testing and evaluation programme.

Its demonstrated capabilities include weapons integration and in September 2026, it successfully fired and controlled an inert, recoverable US Navy Mk48 heavyweight torpedo during trials at the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre off Scotland.

The Type 93 market engagement extends beyond complete vehicle construction to payloads, autonomy, artificial intelligence, mission management systems, integration and through-life support.

The notice does not specify Excalibur as the required Type 93 design or confirm a future production contract.