Britain terminates plan to buy new autonomous survey vessel

Britain terminates plan to buy new autonomous survey vessel

The Ministry of Defence has formally terminated plans to procure an uncrewed surface vessel under Project Lily, bringing an end to a programme that had been expected to deliver a contractor-supported maritime autonomous platform for global operations. A termination notice published on 3 February 2026 by Defence Equipment and Support confirms that the contract will not be signed and that the procurement is no longer going ahead. The decision not …