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.
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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.
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 to similar warships in other navies.
The Defence Command Paper announced the intention to begin the concept and assessment phase for the Type 45 destroyer replacements. These vessels will be delivered in the late 2030s and named the Type 83. In this speculative article, we consider the context and some of the design options for these vessels.
It has emerged that the RN is considering fitting catapults and arrestor gear (cats and traps) to the QEC aircraft carriers to enable the operation of Fixed Wing Unmanned Air Systems. (FWUAS) to complement the F-35B Lightning. Here we examine the implications and the considerable challenges involved.
The Defence Command Paper (DCP) published on 22nd March outlining the future UK force structure has received a very mixed reception. Here we examine the context of the document and more specifically, some of the positives and negatives for the Royal Navy.
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Answering questions in Parliament in the wake of the Integrated Review announcements yesterday, the Prime Minister said “…we will have, by the end of this decade, 24 frigates as opposed to the 15 today.” Here we unpack that statement and look at the likely shape of the RN’s frigate and destroyer fleet over the next 15 years.
After more than 3 years in gestation, the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy entitled “Global Britain in a Competitive Age” was published today. This is an ambitious and wide-ranging document that has much merit but for the Armed Forces, the devil will be in the detail that will follow in the Defence Command Paper published next week.