The Royal Navy has begun sounding out suppliers for the Type 93, a large uncrewed submarine intended to operate alone or alongside crewed ships. A preliminary market engagement notice from the UK Ministry of Defence asks industry to register interest in the platform itself and in the AUKUS Signature Payload Program, which covers weapons and other systems for uncrewed submarines. The notice also seeks providers of autonomous operations software, AI, mission management, integration, and through-life support.
The service is initially considering submarines around 12 meters long and 2 meters in diameter, although firms with differently sized systems are also encouraged to apply. Two existing prototypes roughly match that description: the XV Excalibur, already in seagoing trials, and BAE Systems' Herne, a new version of which is being prepared for trials in Canada next year. Excalibur recently fired a torpedo for the first time, though it relied on external targeting data.
The Type 93 is part of the Royal Navy's broader Hybrid Navy vision, which also includes uncrewed surface vessels such as the Type 92 sonar platform, the Type 94 radar and sensor drone, and the Type 91 missile carrier. The plan replaces the planned Type 83 destroyer with six Common Combat Vessels that would act as command-and-control hubs for the drone fleet, with delivery claimed from the early 2030s. The Register notes that this timeline would be surprising given the Type 31 frigate program has taken a decade without delivering its first ship. The MoD says the notice is not a commitment to proceed with procurement.