British Navy unveils novel 'Proteus' surveillance ship that can detect underwater threats from adversaries like Russia

• Britain has formally dedicated a new surveillance ship capable of detecting underwater threats.
• The RFA Proteus is the first ship in the UK's "Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance" (MROS) program.
• The ship, which is a converted commercial vessel, underwent final testing in September.

Concerned by threats to underwater pipes and cables that connect it with Europe and the rest of the world, Britain this month formally dedicated a new and unusual surveillance ship called the RFA Proteus.

The 6,000-tonne vessel will be crewed by 26 sailors and "augmented by" 60 Royal Navy specialists "responsible for the undersea surveillance, survey and warfare systems," according to the Royal Navy.