UK MoD to Explore Project COOKSON’s Compact Vessels and Advanced Maritime Capabilities.

According to information published by the UK MoD on January 7, 2025, the Ministry is advancing its maritime defence capabilities with the launch of Project COOKSON, a bold initiative under the UK-Norway-led Maritime Capability Coalition. To refine the concept and foster collaboration, the MoD will host a Challenge Session on January 22, 2025, in London, welcoming industry experts from NATO, Ukraine, and Five-Eyes countries.
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Project COOKSON envisions a versatile, compact, and fast vessel equipped with advanced technologies to address high-stakes maritime challenges. Designed for reuse across multiple missions, the system combines low observability, modular payload capabilities, and advanced one-way effectors. These vessels will operate effectively in GNSS-denied environments, offering a powerful solution for diverse operational needs, including the ability to transport seamlessly via flatbed trucks or strategic airlift.

The Challenge Session aims to evaluate the feasibility of key project elements, such as integrating hard-kill air defence systems, optimizing vessel performance, and ensuring rapid scalability of production. Participants will provide critical feedback on the vessel’s design, the capacity to handle and launch effectors, and its operational endurance in challenging conditions. The session will also offer insights into future capability developments and explore avenues for innovation.

Post-event, the MoD plans to launch a procurement phase in early 2025, initially targeting ten COOKSON systems with significant follow-on orders. Selected industry proposals will receive funding to demonstrate a fully operational system by late 2025 or early 2026.

Context

The UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) announcement of Project COOKSON comes as a timely initiative aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s maritime capabilities amid escalating threats in the Black Sea region. With tensions continuing between Ukraine and Russia, this project is designed to address critical vulnerabilities in Ukraine’s maritime defence while supporting NATO-aligned strategies.

The Black Sea has become a focal point of conflict, with Ukraine leveraging innovative maritime tactics, including unmanned surface vessels (USVs), to counter Russian naval dominance. Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports, targeting of grain shipments, and deployment of its Black Sea Fleet have underscored the importance of maritime security in the ongoing conflict. In response, Ukraine has successfully employed maritime drones to attack Russian vessels, including high-profile strikes on warships and infrastructure in Crimea.

Project COOKSON aligns with this evolving battlefield by providing Ukraine with small, fast, and low-observable vessels capable of delivering precision strikes using advanced one-way effectors. These systems are designed for rapid deployment, adaptability, and sustainability, enabling Ukraine to enhance its naval operations without relying on traditional, high-cost assets like larger warships.