Subsea firm selected for major NATO innovation program

HonuWorx’s innovative subsea robotics technology has been chosen for NATO’s 2025 Defence Innovation Accelerator (DIANA) program.

HonuWorx is one of only 71 companies to be selected for the 2025 DIANA program following 2600 submissions from across NATO’s 32 member nations.

The DIANA program aims to support dual-use solutions to major security challenges, with selectors impressed by HonuWorx’s potential utility in protecting critical undersea infrastructure, without using surface vessels.

Many NATO member states have recently committed to increase spending on defence, including security and surveillance for critical national infrastructure such as undersea cabling. The UK Government has, for instance, said it wants to raise defence spending from 2.3 to three percent of GDP.

According to the International Cable Protection Committee, there are nearly 870,000 miles – approximately 1.4 million kilometres – of undersea cables worldwide, with the UK being a central hub in this global network. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has warned such infrastructure is “inadequately protected and highly vulnerable to attack” and, in November this year, two subsea cables in the Baltic Sea were damaged in a suspected act of sabotage.

HonuWorx specialises in autonomous subsea robotics to support offshore energy and defence. 

Steve Williams, Head of Commercial at HonuWorx, said:

“NATO’s DIANA program is extremely prestigious, and we are delighted that HonuWorx is among just 71 businesses selected to take part from across the alliance’s 32 member states.

“Protecting undersea infrastructure is a growing priority for governments across the world, and we are excited to further develop how our unique technology can be used in this field.

“This is yet another important milestone for HonuWorx that caps an impressive 2024 for our business, and we are looking forward to working with our fellow innovators when the 2025 DIANA program begins in January.”