UK navy launches new crewless helicopter to counter North Atlantic threats

The Proteus, UK's first truly autonomous full-size helicopter, flies as on the day it completed its maiden flight operating from Predannack airfield in Cornwall, Britain, in this handout obtained by Reuters on January 16, 2026. Simon Pryor/Handout via REUTERS

LONDON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Britain’s ‌Royal Navy said on Friday its first full-sized autonomous helicopter, ‌designed to track submarines and carry out other high-risk ‌missions amid rising North Atlantic tensions, had completed its maiden flight.

Europe's defence sector has been reshaped since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, as governments ‍increase spending on defence and plan to ‍boost their military ranks.