# Chinese-linked cameras found in UK Navy drones

2026-08-10T09:09:38+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Cameras on K3 Scout surveillance drones used by Britain's Royal Navy were sending 'heartbeat communications' to a Chinese IP address, The Telegraph reported. The cameras, supplied by a third party to British defence contractor Kraken Technology Group, would not turn off even after the drones were shut down and were present near high-security meetings of special forces personnel. The UK Ministry of Defence said a routine cyber check identified the issue but found no evidence that sensitive data or military systems were accessed or transmitted abroad. The £12 million fleet has been in use since March and was part of future plans to help ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The US Special Operations Command has also bought the same drone model.

## Coverage

- hindustantimes.com <https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/britain-royal-navy-china-spyware-surveillance-drones-defence-ministry-components-cameras-101786338307063.html>
- ndtv.com <https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/no-sensitive-data-sent-to-china-uk-defence-ministry-on-navy-drone-scare-11895799#publisher=newsstand>

Tags: China, drones, espionage, security, supply chain, UK navy
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/china-linked-cameras-found-in-uk-navy-drones/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/china-linked-cameras-found-in-uk-navy-drones/#story-in-brief

Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.