Shadow fleet showdown: NATO responds to grey zone threats in the Baltic
In this article, we consider the growing challenges for NATO in countering a series of attacks on pipelines and cables in the Baltic Sea and the dangers posed by merchant ships of the Russian ‘shadow fleet’.
Current news
HMS Iron Duke arrives in her new base port of Devonport
Royal Navy frigate, HMS Iron Duke was the sole surviving Type 23 based in Portsmouth but from 2025, her home will be Devonport Naval Base.
First Sea Lord will not run from the challenge of fixing the Royal Navy
In a gossipy article, The Times reports that the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Ben Key, has told colleagues he does not intend to apply for the Chief of Defence Staff role as he believes he can’t fix the navy due to the lack of resources and is expected to resign in the summer.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary sailors vote to end pay dispute after significantly improved salary offer
RFA members of the RMT Union have voted to end the long-running dispute over pay after finally being awarded a significant increase that reflects the decline in salaries over many years.
Fleet Air Arm centenary: looking ahead to the next 100 years
In this guest article, Stuart Dee and Charlotte Kleberg summarise the challenges ahead for Royal Navy aviation.
Programme EUSTON – floating dry docks for Royal Navy submarines
In this primer, we look at the plan to acquire floating dry docks for Royal Navy nuclear submarine maintenance at Faslane.
A year in review – The Royal Navy in 2024
In this article we look back at a difficult year for the RN, summarising the key events, achievements and issues for the Naval Service in 2024.
Future littoral strike enablers being developed for the Royal Navy
BAE Systems recently presented some of their latest thinking on the future of Littoral Strike. Here we look at these concepts in the context of UK requirements.
The Royal Navy’s fading presence in the Middle East
Until recently, the RN maintained a meaningful force of at least 6 ships based in Bahrain. For a variety of reasons, this force may soon just comprise of two ships.
The Type 26 Frigate – more than just a submarine hunter
At the recent IMarEST conference, the RN outlined some of its thinking about how the Type 26 frigate’s Mission Bay could be utilised in service. Here we look at these concepts and progress on the road to delivery.
