DSEI 2017: Future warships will have a 'mind' of their own, says Royal Navy chief

Warships will soon have computer assistants with a “mind” of their own, according to Britain's First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to play a key role in the future of the service, with new ships being equipped with systems similar to Apple's popular "intelligent personal assistant", Siri, he said.

The military has been focusing on developing its AI capabilities and recently held its first "hackathon".

New Type 31e frigates will come with app-based tools able to access the ship's data using touch screen displays and voice-controlled systems, Admiral Jones said.

"This is not a gimmick or a fad," he said. "As modern warfare becomes ever faster, and ever more data driven, our greatest asset will be the ability to cut through the deluge of information to think and act decisively.

"Under Project Nelson, the Royal Navy aims to develop a ship's 'mind' at the centre of our warships and headquarters to enable rapid decision making in complex, fast moving operations."

Admiral Jones’s comments came at the first day of the biennial Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) event, the world's biggest - and for some most controversial - arms fair held in the cavernous ExCel centre in London's docklands.

On display was a vast array of state-of-the-art military equipment, from tanks and armoured personnel carriers through fighter jets and high-speed inflatables, to sniper rifles and hi-tech protective clothing.

Organisers said it was the biggest DSEI to date with 1,600 exhibitors displaying their wares and 42 national pavilions.

In his opening address, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox emphasised the importance of the defence industry to the UK economy with an annual turnover of £35 billion last year.

The Department for International Trade's stand featured a Bowler off-road rapid intervention vehicle (RIV) complete with machine gun, a light artillery gun and an inflatable rescue launch as well as a series of unmanned aerial drones.

"We are clear that the success of this industry is the United Kingdom's success and that our position as a global leader in defence and security exports is something that should be celebrated," Dr Fox said.

However, such an overwhelming display of military hardware inevitably provoked a different reaction from arms control campaigners demanding Britain halts sales to "repressive" overseas regimes blamed for human rights abuses.

Andrew Smith of the Campaign Against Arms Trade said: "It is shameful that the Government is welcoming despots and dictatorships to the UK to buy weapons.

"The weapons being promoted at DSEI are deadly and could be used to fuel war and conflict for years to come. If the Government cares for human rights and democracy then it's time to end its support for arms fairs like DSEI."

Additional reporting by agencies