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.
UK to spend over 60 billion on nuclear capability
The Defence Investment Plan commits more than £63bn over four years to the nuclear deterrent, funding Dreadnought and SSN-AUKUS submarines and a new warhead, with 12 F-35A jets confirmed to join NATO's nuclear mission.
Britain boosting homeland missile defence in new plans
A GBP 790m investment will revamp the UK's air and missile defences, buying new radars and sensors, upgrading Sea Viper on the Type 45s, expanding counter-drone systems and building a new air, space and missile defence operations centre.
Britain to boost focus on laser weapons
The UK will invest in Directed Energy Weapons as part of a GBP 790m push to protect the UK homeland and overseas bases from air, drone and missile threats, pointing to lasers as a low-cost answer to drone swarms.
Starmer backs 5 billion drone overhaul for UK forces in DIP
The Prime Minister will launch the Defence Investment Plan with more than 5 billion over four years for drones and autonomous systems across the Royal Navy, Army and RAF.
Britain to build fleet of drone warships
Britain is to build a fleet of warships designed to command uncrewed systems across the air, surface and subsurface, planning at least six new Common Combat Vessels to replace the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers.
UK to buy drone command warships instead of new destroyers
The Royal Navy's planned Type 83 destroyer has been dropped in favour of six new Common Combat Vessels built to coordinate drones, under the government's long-delayed Defence Investment Plan, the Sunday Times was first to report.
