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.
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.
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.
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.
