Cameras fitted to Royal Navy uncrewed boats sent automated status messages to an internet address in China, according to British media reports, prompting the Ministry of Defence to disconnect the devices from the internet.

The messages were described as “heartbeat communications”, which confirm that a camera is online and functioning. No evidence has been presented that video, audio or classified material was transmitted, or that Chinese authorities were involved.

“A thorough investigation found no evidence of MoD data or systems being accessed, compromised or transmitted externally,” a ministry spokesperson said.

The issue affected a camera subsystem aboard K3 Scout uncrewed surface vessels supplied by the British company Kraken Technology Group. The MoD said it was detected during a routine cyber vulnerability assessment but did not say when the discovery was made.

The Daily Telegraph first reported that the communications were sent to a Chinese IP address and that internet access was subsequently removed from the cameras.

Reports said the cameras contained Chinese-made components. Kraken acknowledged that some third-party cameras contained “a small number of components” originating outside Britain but did not identify their manufacturer or country of origin.

The company said the cameras complied with requirements under the US National Defense Authorization Act and that an audit conducted with the Royal Navy found no evidence that sensitive information had left its intended channels. It said potential vulnerabilities had been closed.

NDAA compliance restricts US federal procurement involving equipment from specified telecommunications and surveillance companies. It does not certify that every component was manufactured outside China.

The Royal Navy announced a £12.3 million contract for 20 uncrewed boats on 11 March 2026 under Project Beehive, which is intended to combine crewed warships with autonomous systems.

The Navy said at the time that personnel were being trained and that an operational capability was expected within months. By July, it said K3 Scouts were being operated by 47 Commando Royal Marines and the Surface Flotilla.

The vessels can be configured for surveillance, force protection, logistics or precision strikes. Kraken says the 8.4-metre K3 Scout can carry a 600kg payload, reach 55 knots and remain operational for up to 30 days, depending on its mission.

The Independent reported that the boats had been considered for a possible British deployment supporting shipping protection in the Strait of Hormuz. The Telegraph cited an unnamed defence source as saying preparations for British plans in the Gulf had involved the vessels.

The reports also raised concerns that cameras could have recorded special-forces personnel or sensitive meetings. No evidence that such recordings were transmitted outside British systems has been disclosed.

The Conservative opposition called for an urgent examination of defence equipment for unidentified Chinese components. Neither the MoD nor Kraken publicly identified the camera supplier, the owner of the Chinese IP address or how many of the 20 boats carried the affected subsystem.