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Royal Navy to Use Common Combat Vessels as Drone Hubs and Upgrade Existing Frigates
The UK government will announce an updated Defence Investment Plan this week that replaces planned Type 83 destroyers with cheaper Common Combat Vessels. The shift incorporates lessons from Ukraine and the Strait of Hormuz conflict.
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The Royal Navy will replace its planned Type 83 destroyers with several cheaper Common Combat Vessels that serve as hubs for uncrewed vessels, BBC News reported. Britain's six Type 45 destroyers, originally designed for air defence, will not receive the Type 83 replacements.
The updated Defence Investment Plan incorporates lessons from Ukraine's use of drone technology against Russia's Black Sea fleet and from the recent US-Iran conflict around the Strait of Hormuz.
Naval drones nearly 100 metres long will be deployed in the North Atlantic to address threats to undersea cables that carry more than 90% of the UK's data. The Royal Marines will receive around £500m for fast Commando Insertion Craft and strike drones. The Navy will retain its frigates and update them with new versions.
John Healey resigned as defence secretary this month, followed by Al Carns as armed forces minister. Dan Jarvis was appointed defence secretary and spent the last two weeks refocusing the plan. Bob Sawers, managing director of the Audere Group, said the shift reflects a recognition that defence must reform to acquire adaptable capabilities.
Tom Sharpe, a former Royal Navy Commander, described the changes as cost-cutting and noted that required drone technology and weapons will remain expensive.
