Type 45 destroyers out, hybrid warships in: Royal Navy to acquire new air defence vessels

· Forces News
HMS Dragon, one of the Royal Navy's six Type 45 destroyers which are set to be replaced, in the Eastern Mediterranean (Picture: MOD)

The Royal Navy will procure at least six Common Combat Vessels to replace the current fleet of six Type 45 destroyers under the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan (DIP).

The Common Combat Vessels (CCVs) are expected to be delivered by the early 2030s, and the vessels will act as a control hub for uncrewed systems, extending the Navy's reach, resilience and firepower without a proportional increase in crew or cost.

These new ships will replace earlier plans for a Type 83 destroyer as the Royal Navy moves from concentrating on having a small number of large, expensive ships to a more Hybrid Navy.

The Hybrid Navy concept will see traditional vessels like frigates deployed alongside uncrewed vessels and other autonomous equipment and drones.

The funding announced in the DIP will allow the National Armaments Director Group to start the design work that will underpin a change in how the UK delivers air defence at sea.

"Our Royal Navy is a formidable force, operating to protect our nation and our allies in the Atlantic and beyond. These Common Combat Vessels will provide our dedicated sailors with hybrid ships that are designed and built for the increasing threats we face," Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said.

When in service, these CCVs will work alongside eight Type 26 and five Type 31 frigates, as well as Type 91 uncrewed missile platforms, Type 92 uncrewed underwater sensing platforms, Type 93 extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles and Type 94 uncrewed sensor platforms.

The programme will also anchor three new Atlantic programmes – Atlantic Bastion, Atlantic Shield and Atlantic Strike – designed to combat Russian activity in the North Atlantic and High North, protect critical underwater infrastructure, and enhance Nato deterrence.