Portrait of an active fleet – the Royal Navy in the last two weeks
Early June has seen an exceptionally high level of RN activity across the globe. In this article, we have collated some of the best imagery and round up what the fleet has been doing
In focus: the new National Flagship for Britain – a Royal Navy vessel
On 30th May the Cabinet Office formally announced that a new National Flagship would be built. In this article, we can exclusively provide more depth and detail about the project.
Babcock offers the Arrowhead-140 frigate design to Greek Navy
Babcock has announced it had held talks with officials in Greece proposing the Arrowhead-140 design (the basis for the Royal Navy’s Type 31) as a candidate for the Hellenic Navy’s new frigate modernisation programme.
An analysis of Royal Navy frigate and destroyer availability 2015-20
Figures showing the precise number of days spent at sea by the RN’s escort force in the past 6 years were published recently. Here we briefly analyse what this says about the health of the fleet and the factors behind the data.
Photo essay – 10 hectic days for the Royal Navy’s carrier strike group
Between the 18th and 28th May, the carrier strike group completed exercise Strike warrior, saw the first meeting of two aircraft carriers at sea, returned to port, hosted visits from the Prime Minister and the Queen, re-stored and refuelled, sailed and took centre stage in NATO’s largest exercise of the year.
Autonomous systems – the future of Royal Navy mine warfare
The Integrated Review confirmed what had been rumoured for some time – the RN will gradually replace its remaining 13 minehunters with remotely operated or autonomous systems based on small boats. This in-depth article considers the developments that are underway and the advantage and risks that come with this innovation.
Under-gunned Royal Navy warships?
It was announced in the House of Commons earlier this week that initially the Type 26 frigate will be armed with just a helicopter and a short-range missile system (plus a medium calibre gun and CIWS, although this wasn’t mentioned). In this article, Tom Sharpe provides a basic analysis of how RN weapons fit compares […]
The competition to build the Fleet Solid Support Ships has been restarted
Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace has formally re-launched the competition to build three new Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Here we analyse the limited detail that is public and the implications for industry and afloat support for the Royal Navy.
Royal Navy formally announces the names of the ‘inspiration class’ Type 31 frigates
Speaking today at the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference, Admiral Tony Radakin announced the names of the five Type 31 frigate being constructed for the Royal Navy in Rosyth; HMS Active, HMS Bulldog, HMS Campbeltown, HMS Formidable and HMS Venturer.
