Common Combat Vessels: What the Royal Navy's drone-equipped ships could deliver

· Forces News
Six Type 45 destroyers will be scrapped, as the MOD pivots to cheaper hybrid Common Combat Vessels (Picture: MOD)

With the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers due to leave service in the late 2030s, and with the UK opting to scrap the next-generation Type 83 destroyers in favour of at least six hybrid Common Combat Vessels (CCVs), what capability does this provide for the future of the Royal Navy?

Set to become the UK's most advanced maritime air defence capability, the CCVs will work with crewed platforms such as the Type 26 and 31 frigates, as well as uncrewed platforms.

Rather than concentrating on large and expensive ships, the Ministry of Defence has said the Royal Navy will move towards a hybrid fleet that is not only more cost-effective but also better prepared for the pace and nature of modern warfare.

Hybrid push

The Navy is due to get at last six of these hybrid warships in the early 2030s, replacing the current Type 45s.

Although costing around £1bn each, the Daring-class destroyers – including HMS Dragon, which is currently deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean following a drone strike on RAF Akrotiri – are currently the Royal Navy's only vessels capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.

Details of the new hybrid warships, including their size, design, cost and capabilities, remain unclear, as they are expected to be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

However, it has been reported that in one concept of how the CCVs would operate, each crewed CCV was "flanked by at least two large uncrewed surface vessels, fulfilling diverse roles such as air defence or anti-submarine warfare as missions demanded".

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said: "These CCVs will provide our dedicated sailors with hybrid ships that are designed and built for the increasing threats we face.

"Developed with exceptional British innovators, the new ships will be British-built, supporting jobs across the nation and giving the Royal Navy a capability built for modern warfare."

The MOD added that their "adaptable design" will mean the CCVs can be exported globally.

With additional reporting by Sofie Cacoyannis.