In focus: the Bofors 57mm Mk 3 gun that will equip the Type 31 frigates
The Type 31 frigates will introduce two guns types new to Royal Navy service. In the second of two articles examining these weapons, we look at the Bofors 57mm Mk3 gun.
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Future Royal Navy
HMS Echo reduced to low readiness as Royal Navy considers options for replacement capability
Survey vessel, HMS Echo arrived in Portsmouth on 29 March. For the last few weeks she has been de-storing and has now joined RFA Wave Knight laid up in the non-tidal basin. She has not been decommissioned but her future is undecided. Here we look at why the RN will, at least temporarily, make do without another ship.
No additional resources for the Royal Navy’s contribution to the ‘High North strategy’
On 29th March the MoD published a new document ‘The UK’s Defence Contribution in the High North’. Here we look at the strategy and the contribution that the RN is expected to make in support of UK Arctic interests.
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Upgrading the Royal Navy’s Type 45 Destroyers
The Type 45 Destroyer is the Royal Navy’s primary Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) vessel. Other than the propulsion issues discussed in depth elsewhere, this article documents what has already been done to upgrade the class and the potential improvements to be applied later in their service lives.
The National Shipbuilding Strategy and the future of the Royal Navy
The much-delayed National Shipbuilding Strategy ‘refresh’ document was finally published on 10th March. Here we examine the plan in the context of the future Royal Navy fleet.
Delivery of many critical Royal Navy capabilities still years away
On 21 February the MoD published the Defence Equipment Plan (EP) which focuses on procurement for the next decade. Here we take an overview of some of the implications for naval capability.
A year in review – the Royal Navy in 2021
2021 can be seen as another broadly positive year for the RN with the Integrated Review the maiden operational deployment of the carrier strike group the dominant stories.More
In focus: the Bofors 40mm Mk 4 gun that will equip the Type 31 frigates
The Type 31 frigates will introduce two guns types new to Royal Navy service. In the first of two articles examining these weapons, we look at the Bofors 40mm Mk 4 gun.
How can fewer frigates make a more effective Royal Navy fleet?
The RN currently has 18 frigates and destroyers in commission and this number will fall to 17 in 2022. Here we examine the justification for this reduction and the wider issues around fleet size discussed in the December 2021 House of Commons Defence Select Committee report titled “We are going to need a bigger navy”.