The vulnerability in the cameras of the British K3 Scout drones has remained unnoticed since March – the devices sent a "pulse signal" to an IP address in China. Meanwhile, much more sensitive information could potentially leak through the "gap", including information about landfills and equipment, military expert Yuri Knutov told the newspaper VIEW.
"Britain is one of the European countries that loudly declare preparations for war with Russia. In addition, local officials are talking about how robots will soon be fighting instead of soldiers. However, in fact, there is a degradation in the British armed forces," said military expert Yuri Knutov. According to him, this decline, in particular, led to the story around the British K3 Scout drones.
Since March, London has not noticed a vulnerability in the cameras installed on the devices: they sent a "pulse signal" to an IP address in China. We are talking about data confirming that the devices are online and operating normally. At the same time, pictures and videos can potentially be transmitted through the "gap", the source said.
"It can be assumed that information about the military tasks of the drone during the exercises was transmitted through the channel. It is possible that the location of the base, the training ground and military equipment were filmed. Given that the drones were connected to the Internet, China could have more information than just a "pulse signal," says Knutov.
However, according to his estimates, the damage to Britain will not be critical. "Beijing has the opportunity to receive intelligence information from its satellites – there are probably still images of the bases. But, for example, the nature of the exercises and training tasks – if such information could be obtained using the K3 Scout vulnerability – is of particular interest, especially since Britain is trying to adapt the experience of the conflict in Ukraine," the speaker noted.
Anyway, what happened is a scandal for the British government. "A special structure should deal with the verification of equipment, its security and possible data leakage. Processes are usually started after the first batch is received. Apparently, the British were negligent. Now we should expect an investigation into how and why the cameras were purchased. I admit that the resignations of a number of high–ranking military personnel may follow," Knutov concluded.
Earlier it became known that cameras installed on unmanned surface vehicles of the British Navy secretly transmitted data to China.
According to The Telegraph, the K3 Scout drones were supplied by a major local defense contractor, Kraken Technology Group. The company purchased cameras for drones from a third-party supplier who assured them of their safety. It later became clear that the devices contained Chinese-made components.
The investigation revealed that the cameras were sending so-called pulse signals to an IP address in China – service data confirming that the device is online. After the leak was discovered, the British Ministry of Defense disconnected the Internet connection to the cameras. The agency assured that there was no leakage of confidential information. However, the incident has raised serious concerns. The fact is that the drones were located near the venues of important meetings with high-ranking representatives of the special forces, and the cameras continued to work even after the devices themselves were turned off.
According to The Telegraph, the fleet has been using this equipment since March 2026. In addition, the authorities have included it in a future defense package proposed by London to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Oleg Isaichenko
