The Ministry of Defence is unable to say when the Royal Navy’s Hybrid Fleet will start being built, with construction schedules for the four new classes of uncrewed platform yet to be determined and the crewed Common Combat Vessels at the heart of the concept expected from the early 2030s, the UK Defence Journal understands.
The position was set out by Defence Minister Luke Pollard in a written answer to Conservative MP Stuart Anderson, who asked simply what date the Hybrid Navy fleet will be operational.
“The Defence Investment Plan has announced at least £1.3 billion investment in developing the Royal Navy’s Hybrid Fleet: comprising uncrewed missile platforms (Type 91), uncrewed underwater sense platforms (Type 92), extra-large uncrewed underwater vessels (XLUUV) (Type 93), uncrewed radar platforms (Type 94), as well as uncrewed aviation assets. The construction schedules for those platforms have not yet been determined. The future class of Common Combat Vessels (CCV) are expected from the early 2030s,” Pollard said, as quoted in the answer, adding that the new technologies “will complement the uncrewed mine hunting capabilities, aviation, and surface vessels already in service with the Royal Navy.”
The answer is that the Hybrid Fleet has no construction date attached to it just yet, with the earliest fixed marker being the arrival of the Common Combat Vessels, the at least six air defence warships announced on 29 June, from the early 2030s.
For the uncrewed elements, the Type 91 missile platforms, Type 92 underwater sensing platforms, Type 93 extra-large uncrewed submarines and Type 94 radar platforms, no construction schedule exists, which follows from answers to Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge this week confirming that the funding split between the platforms has also yet to be decided and will be developed in consultation with industry.
Readers will note, though, that the absence of dates reflects programmes at the very start of their lives rather than delay against a published schedule.
Wouldn’t it just be cheaper and operationally better to make the entire system one capable of underwater operation? The missile system could then approach by stealth, pop up, send the missiles within sight of the enemy coast/extreme picket distance, submerge again and back for RAS.
Underwater craft have very limited power and communications and make for terrible radar sensor platforms.
Can we lease the Gosport ferry?
Sometimes it seems this government is making a mockery of defense. It’s all empty promises, phantom ships, cuts, etc. Let’s hope another government comes in that at least doesn’t treat such an important issue as a joke. As long as these people are in power, nothing good can be expected, not even from the Conservatives, who also have no interest in defending the United Kingdom.