Britain has abandoned plans for a new Type 83 destroyer to replace its ageing warships, opting instead for a fleet of advanced “common combat vessels” (CCVs) as part of a significant shift in its defence investment strategy.
The Royal Navy is set to procure at least six of these CCVs, which will act as crucial hubs for uncrewed systems, with delivery anticipated in the 2030s.
The pivot, prioritising drones and military modernisation, comes ahead of Sir Keir Starmer’s expected unveiling of the UK’s future armed forces blueprint, potentially before July 20. The Ministry of Defence states that the new vessels are designed to expand the Navy’s reach and firepower without a “proportional increase” in crew or cost, working alongside the existing Type 26 and Type 31 frigates.
Underwater drones and sensor platforms are also slated for heavy integration, driven by ministerial warnings regarding increased Russian submarine activity in the Atlantic near critical undersea cables. The earlier proposals for the Type 83 guided-missile warship, intended to succeed the current fleet of six Type 45 destroyers, will no longer feature in the defence investment plan (Dip).
The Dip itself was originally due last year but has been delayed amid internal government wrangling over military funding. Former defence secretary John Healey resigned in protest over the issue. His successor, Dan Jarvis, is understood to have secured an additional £14.5 billion for the plan, an increase from the £13.5 billion offered to Mr Healey, though still falling short of the £28 billion officials previously indicated was required.
Speaking to broadcasters on Sunday morning, Housing Secretary Steve Reed said the UK needed to prepare for the potential conflicts of the future rather than “whatever the last war was like” and that the Dip was “days away”.
Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir will press ahead with publishing the document during the transition period before his successor, who is likely to be Andy Burnham, takes office following his resignation.
But the Sunday Times reported the former Greater Manchester mayor, who has been authorised to receive Government briefings from the Civil Service as he prepares for power, had seen and signed off on the blueprint.
Opposition critics have described the suggested £1 billion uplift as a “drop in the ocean” while a former chief of the defence staff said Mr Burnham may need to find more money in the course of this Parliament.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme that the next leader would need to operate “almost like a wartime prime minister” in light of global threats.
Mr Burnham, following his victory in the Makerfield by-election earlier this month, said: “A Makerfield test at the heart of British politics will make sure that the places Westminster has neglected will now get fairness.”
But Sir Tony told the programme: “As well as having the Makerfield test, I would say it’s the Moscow test.”
He said if there was “not enough” in the Dip, “then it may be that the new prime minister is going to have to find that money as part of the course of this Parliament.”
Defence Secretary Mr Jarvis said: “Our Royal Navy is a formidable force, operating to protect our nation and our allies in the Atlantic and beyond.
“These common combat vessels will provide our dedicated sailors with hybrid ships that are designed and built for the increasing threats we face.
“Developed with exceptional British innovators, the new ships will be British-built, supporting jobs across the nation and giving the Royal Navy a capability built for modern warfare.”
The plans come as First Sea Admiral General Sir Gwyn Jenkins leads efforts to shift towards a new “hybrid Navy” made up of both traditional crewed ships and submarines and autonomous vehicles and AI.
The programme will also “anchor” three new Atlantic programmes – Atlantic Bastion, Atlantic Shield and Atlantic Strike – designed to counter Russian activity in the North Atlantic and High North, officials said.
Elsewhere, £500 million will be promised to Britain’s commandos under changes to the Dip drawn up by Mr Jarvis as he seeks to put his stamp on the long-awaited blueprint.
What will be added instead?
High-speed boats and strike drones will be committed to the elite force, with a focus on the High North – which includes the Arctic Circle and nearby areas – in the face of rising Russian activity in the region.
The funding will partly go towards new high-speed commando insertion craft – special vessels used to covertly transport troops from the rapid-response force – which officials said could be used for operations including the seizure of Russian shadow fleet vessels.
It comes after Royal Marine commandos helped intercept the tanker Smyrtos in the Channel early on Sunday in the first UK-led operation to capture a sanctioned ship earlier this month.
