NATO states weighing up new underwater drones

Several European NATO member states are in the process of acquiring advanced underwater drones, known as GreyShark, for their naval forces. The autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are designed to gather intelligence and conduct reconnaissance on critical infrastructure, such as vital pipelines and cables beneath the seabed.

Developed by German tech companies EUROATLAS and EvoLogics, the drones can also be used for mine detection and anti-submarine warfare (ASW). A shorter-range version of the penguin-shaped drone is called Bravo, while a longer-lasting iteration with a hydrogen-cell power source is known as Foxtrot. Both versions have undergone trials in the Baltic Sea off the coast of northern Germany.

EUROATLAS declined to disclose which countries are considering purchasing the GreyShark drones but acknowledged that multiple nations in the region and Asian customers have expressed interest in acquiring the technology. NATO nations have pledged to increase defense spending, with a focus on core spending of 3.5 percent of GDP, which will be allocated towards buying new military equipment.

The urgent need for these underwater drones has been underscored by recent sabotage incidents and damage to undersea cables. In November and December last year, several critical data cables were cut or damaged, including four data cables and a major power link on Christmas Day. This highlights the vulnerability of global communication networks that rely on these underwater cables.

The development of advanced technologies like GreyShark is crucial for NATO member states given the threat posed by Russia's hybrid warfare tactics. Western security agencies have assessed that Russia could be capable of launching a full-scale armed attack on a NATO state, such as Estonia or Latvia, in a matter of years. As EUROATLAS managing director Eugen Ciemnyjewski noted, "The threat is now – you cannot wait." The GreyShark drones are designed to address this growing threat by providing real-time monitoring and detection capabilities for undersea infrastructure.

I'm not sure if buying more underwater drones is the best use of NATO's 3.5% defense spending... I mean, don't get me wrong, Russia's hybrid warfare tactics are a serious concern, but have we thought this through? Like, how do these drones really help in the grand scheme? It's all about reaction time, right? We're basically trying to patch up our security holes before they happen... And what about the environmental impact of these things? Are we just gonna keep dropping more tech into the ocean without thinking about the consequences? I'm not saying we should wait around for something to happen, but let's think this through, y'know?

idk why natos gotta be so secretive about dis tho they're just tryna keep it underwraps bout thos greyshark drones lol, like whos gonna stop russia from launching an arm attack or watever? dey need dem drones ASAP cuz of all dat sabotage stuff last yr its crazy how critical those cables r 2 global comms networks... NATO needs 2 step up thier game ASAP

I'm low-key worried about the implications of these underwater drones . On one hand, I get it - with those sabotage incidents and damage to undersea cables, NATO's got a legitimate need for these techs. But on the other hand, it feels like we're playing chicken with Russia, where the stakes are getting higher by the day . What's next? Are we gonna deploy these drones in every ocean, just waiting for someone to make a move?

And what about the environmental concerns? I mean, we're talking about autonomous underwater vehicles that could potentially harm marine life or disrupt ecosystems . We need to make sure we're weighing the pros and cons here and not just rushing into it without thinking about the long-term effects.

I also wonder if this is gonna create a new arms race of sorts - countries trying to outdo each other with the latest tech, and who knows what kind of consequences that could have .

OMG have u ever thought about what would happen if ur online fave game or social media platform went down bc some ppl cut thru the undersea cables? it's kinda scary 2 think that we rely on these underwater cables so much... i mean, they're like the veins of the internet lol anywayz back to these GreyShark drones r u worried that NATO countries will use them against other nations or is it just for defensive purposes?

I'm literally so hyped about these new underwater drones! I mean can you imagine having an entire army of tiny robots scanning the ocean floor for threats? It's like something out of a sci-fi movie The fact that they're being developed by German tech companies is also super cool, shows how innovative they are. And with NATO nations pledging to increase defense spending, it's clear they're taking this whole cyber-security thing seriously . What I find especially interesting is the mention of sabotage incidents and damaged data cables... like, we need all the help we can get to keep our global communication networks safe Can't wait to see how these drones are going to change the game!

I think it's cool that NATO member states are getting these advanced underwater drones , but at the same time, I'm a bit worried about the potential for misuse . We've seen how Russia has been using hybrid warfare tactics to cause trouble in the region, and now we're arming our navies with tech that could potentially be used against us .

On the other hand, I get why these drones are needed . The recent sabotage incidents and damage to undersea cables have highlighted just how vulnerable our global communication networks are . It's not like we can just wait for Russia to make its move before we take action .

I guess what I'm saying is that we need to be careful about how we deploy this technology , and make sure it's not used against us in the first place . We also need to keep working on our own defense capabilities and building trust with other nations

Ugh , I'm so done with these NATO countries rushing into buying underwater drones without even thinking about the environmental impact! They're basically just dropping toxic trash into our oceans with their advanced tech . And don't even get me started on the hydrogen-cell power source – isn't that just a fancy way of saying "explosive waste" ? I mean, come on, can't they see that's just gonna make things worse?

And what about the potential consequences of these drones getting lost or damaged at sea? We're talking about the entire global communication network being brought down because of a bunch of underwater robots . It's like, have you seen how much plastic waste we already have in our oceans? Do we really need more of that stuff floating around down there?

I know they say Russia is a threat and all that , but can't NATO just focus on diplomacy for once instead of arming themselves to the teeth ? It's like, won't just talking things out solve everything?

I'm low-key excited about the EU getting its underwater drone game on ! GreyShark tech could be a total game-changer in NATO's defense strategy, especially with Russia's "hybrid warfare" tactics making waves . Did you know that the Baltic Sea is home to over 50% of Europe's undersea cables? That's like, a major vulnerability waiting to happen ! The fact that multiple nations are interested in these drones is no surprise – who wouldn't want real-time monitoring capabilities for their pipelines and vital infrastructure? I mean, we're already seeing the effects of Russia's attacks on Ukraine, so it's time to up our defense game . According to a recent NATO report, the alliance plans to allocate 3.5% of its GDP towards buying new military equipment, including these underwater drones . Not bad for a region that's been on high alert since 2014 !

I was reading about the new underwater drones NATO member states are getting and it got me thinking - what's the point of having all these spy drones if we're not gonna use them to help the environment? Like, seriously, can't we just use them to monitor pollution or track ocean waste instead of just focusing on national security? It feels like we're always looking for an excuse to upgrade our military tech, but what about using it for good? I'm not saying we should cut defense spending or anything, but let's think outside the box, you know? Maybe we could even use them to help other countries with their marine conservation efforts...

omg, can u believe these NATO member states r getting their hands on these advanced underwater drones?! i mean, its not like they have enough problems w/ cyber attacks & data breaches already... how much more do these underwater cables need 2 b damaged?

anywayz, so these GreyShark drones can gather intel & detect mines & stuff... sounds super useful but also kinda creepy . what if they get hacked?! i guess its not just about the military using them 4 defense purposes... but also for monitoring & surveillance in other areas .

russia's hybrid warfare tactics are getting more & more alarming btw... its like, u cant wait for these drones 2 arrive so u can stay safe . but how much do these NATO nations plan 2 spend on these? 3.5% of their GDP? thats a lotta cash

OMG just think about it - these underwater drones called GreyShark could be a game changer for NATO member states ! I mean, can you imagine having a team of robotic ninjas watching over your pipelines and cables 24/7 ? It's like having an extra layer of protection against those sabotage incidents . And with the Russian threat on the rise , it's more important than ever to stay one step ahead . Plus, just think about all the underwater secrets that these drones could uncover ! It's a win-win for NATO and global security

I'm not really sure about all these new underwater drones the NATO member states are getting . I mean, isn't it a bit much? Are we just going to keep piling up more and more military tech until some country decides to launch a big attack on us? I don't think so... or do I? The thought of those underwater drones detecting mines and stuff is actually kinda cool though, but at the same time, it makes me think about how vulnerable our global communication networks are. Like, what if those cables get cut again?

I'm telling ya, these underwater drones are like something straight outta a James Bond movie ! I mean, think about it, if Russia can just cut or damage those undersea cables, we're looking at some serious global chaos . And now these GreyShark drones are being developed to detect and track that kind of threat in real-time? It's like having your own personal submarine spy ! I'm not sure about the price tag, but if it means keeping our communication networks safe, I say we're willing to shell out the cash . These drones are gonna be game-changers for NATO and they should totally consider getting them ASAP .

I think it's really concerning that multiple European NATO member states are acquiring these advanced underwater drones . I mean, on one hand, it's great that they're investing in cutting-edge tech to boost their defense capabilities . But at the same time, it raises some serious questions about the potential risks and unintended consequences of deploying autonomous systems like this in our oceans .

I'm reminded of the concept of "technological singularity" where AI surpasses human intelligence, which could lead to unpredictable outcomes . We need to be extremely cautious when developing and deploying technologies that can potentially disrupt entire ecosystems and global networks . It's essential we have a more nuanced conversation about the ethics and responsibilities surrounding these types of innovations .

The recent sabotage incidents on undersea cables are indeed a wake-up call, highlighting our vulnerability to cyber-attacks . But I think it's equally important that we focus on developing long-term solutions that prioritize global cooperation, diplomacy, and sustainable development rather than just relying on military might .