Navy to build drone-equipped warships instead of replacing ageing destroyers
Summary
The UK Ministry of Defence has changed its plan to replace old destroyers with large new ships. Instead, it will build at least six smaller, drone-equipped warships to better handle modern threats. The new vessels aim to improve naval reach and defense while keeping costs and crew numbers lower.Key Facts
- The UK will stop plans to replace ageing Type 45 destroyers with Type 83 vessels.
- Instead, the Ministry of Defence will build at least six "Common Combat Vessels" that can use drones in the air, on water, and under the sea.
- These new ships are designed for modern warfare and to counter threats like Russian activity in the North Atlantic.
- The vessels are expected to be ready in the 2030s but no exact budget has been announced.
- This change is part of a larger defence investment plan to be published before the NATO summit in July 2026.
- Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis supports the updated plan, aiming to get new technology to frontline forces quickly.
- Recent resignations of defence officials happened over disagreements about defence funding levels.
- The UK government plans to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and 3.5% by 2035, in line with NATO goals.
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