Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters to replaced by drones

The Defence Investment Plan sets out an autonomous replacement for the Royal Navy's Wildcat maritime helicopters and increasingly autonomous rotorcraft flying from frigates and destroyers, as the Fleet Air Arm shifts towards uncrewed flight.

Sweeney warns of Clyde job losses without new design deal

Paul Sweeney, Labour MSP and former Clyde worker, has warned that BAE Systems needs a new design contract within around eighteen months to avoid job losses.
Man in a dark gray sweater stands outdoors at a shipyard with a large blue gantry crane in the background.

Dunfermline MP urges Common Combat Vessel work for Rosyth

Graeme Downie, the MP for Dunfermline and Dollar, has welcomed the commitment to a new Common Combat Vessel and pressed for it to be based on the Type 31 frigate being built in Rosyth.
A large gray aircraft carrier cutting through rough seas, hull number RO8, with two small airborne objects (drones) flying nearby.

UK carriers to get drone fighters and early warning craft

The Defence Investment Plan commits to Project PANTHEON to build a Hybrid Carrier Air Wing, with jet-powered drones trialled under Project VANQUISH to fly alongside the F-35B and an autonomous early warning system for the carriers.

Two more Type 23 Frigates being retired soon

The Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, has confirmed that the Defence Investment Plan retires two more Type 23 frigates, part of a phased withdrawal of the ageing class running up to 2033 as new ships come into service.

Britain confirms plan to build 12 new nuclear attack subs

The Defence Investment Plan commits the UK to building up to twelve next-generation SSN-AUKUS attack submarines, the same boats Australia will build, with steel to be cut on the first at Barrow next year.

UK green lights three huge floating submarine repair docks

The UK has committed to three floating docks under Programme EUSTON, one more than previously planned, easing the out-of-water maintenance shortage behind the submarine availability crisis.
Grey naval warship at sea fires a missile from its launcher, with a helicopter on the aft deck and waves splashing nearby (hull number T31).

British Type 31 Frigates to get powerful anti-ship missile

The Defence Investment Plan confirms funding to bring the Type 31 frigates into service and arm them with Mk 41 launchers and Norway's Naval Strike Missile, plus new gun ammunition to defeat drones and surface threats.

Britain drops plans for Multi-Role Strike Ships

The Defence Investment Plan drops the bespoke Multi-Role Strike Ship as too complex and commits the UK to a joint amphibious fleet with the Netherlands, built around the Dutch-led Amphibious Transport Ship programme.

Type 45 Destroyers will not see service life extended

The Royal Navy will not extend its six Type 45 destroyers, which begin retiring from 2035, with an extra GBP 1.3bn going into the hybrid fleet meant to replace them over the following decade, officials said.