3 weeks ago
UK Military Drone Cameras Sent Heartbeat Signals to China
Britain's special soldiers use robot boats called K3 Scouts to watch the sea.
The boats have cameras, and inside some of the cameras there were tiny electronic parts made in China.
During a safety check, soldiers found that the cameras were sending little 'I am still on' beep signals to a computer in China.
These beeps are like the blinking light on a toy that shows it is still working.
Britain's defence department checked everything carefully and said no secret information was shared.
To be safe, they switched off the cameras' internet connection.
The company that made the drones bought the cameras from a supplier based very close to a Royal Navy base, which worried people.
Many people are worried because China makes so many electronic parts that it is hard to build military machines without any of them.
In the past, Britain removed Chinese company Huawei from its 5G network over similar worries, and British spies have warned that China tries to interfere.
The grown-ups say everything is okay now, but they are checking other military equipment too.
Surveillance cameras on Royal Marines' K3 Scout drones were found sending 'heartbeat communications' to an IP address in China during a routine cyber vulnerability assessment.
The Ministry of Defence said an investigation found no evidence that MoD data or systems were accessed, compromised, or transmitted externally, and it has cut the cameras' internet connection.
Drone maker Kraken Technology Group sourced the cameras from a third-party supplier in Gosport, Hampshire, whose registered office sits about three miles from the Royal Navy's base and near a UK munitions site.
The Royal Marines' 20 K3 Scout unmanned surface vehicles, worth around 12 million pounds and in service since March, have been used by personnel linked to the Special Boat Service.
The MoD has launched a wider investigation into other defence suppliers that bought cameras from the same firm, following MI5 warnings about Chinese espionage and Britain's 2020 removal of Huawei from its 5G network.
- Who
- The UK Ministry of Defence, the Royal Marines, British drone maker Kraken Technology Group, and a camera supplier based in Gosport, Hampshire.
- What
- Cameras on K3 Scout drones were found sending 'heartbeat communications' to an IP address in China; the MoD found no evidence of a data breach and cut the cameras' internet connection.
- Where
- United Kingdom — the drones belong to the Royal Marines and the camera supplier's registered office was in Gosport, Hampshire, near the Royal Navy's base.
- When
- The issue was uncovered during a routine cyber vulnerability assessment; the drone fleet has been in service since March.
- Why
- The cameras contained Chinese-made components sourced through a third-party supplier and were communicating with an internet address in China.
MoD and Kraken's assessment
Security concerns
Severity of the drone incident
MoD and Kraken's assessment
A thorough investigation found no evidence of MoD data or systems being accessed, compromised, or transmitted externally, and the camera connectivity was shut down.
Security concerns
The discovery raises concerns that Chinese-made components inside critical British defence equipment could have exposed security-cleared military staff and sensitive locations, and other MoD suppliers may be affected.
Removing Chinese technology from defence supply chains
MoD and Kraken's assessment
Britain and other NATO countries have deliberately taken steps to keep Chinese technology out of sensitive military systems amid long-running espionage concerns.
Security concerns
China's enormous role in global manufacturing makes it difficult even for security-conscious defence firms to completely eliminate Chinese components from their equipment.
Key facts
- Equipment
- K3 Scout unmanned surface vehicles (fleet of 20 drones)
- Fleet Value
- Around £12 million; in service since March
- Operator
- Royal Marines, including personnel linked to the Special Boat Service (SBS)
- Manufacturer
- Kraken Technology Group (British)
- Camera Supplier
- Third-party firm in Gosport, Hampshire, near a UK munitions site
- Supplier's Claim
- Compliance with the US National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA)
- Issue Found
- Cameras sending 'heartbeat communications' ('squark') to an IP address in China
- MoD Response
- No evidence of compromise found; cameras' internet connection cut and wider investigation launched
Quotes
MoD spokesperson
Official from the UK Ministry of Defence
“A thorough investigation found no evidence of MoD data or systems being accessed, compromised or transmitted externally.”
NDTV
Sources
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