Is the Royal Navy Indo-Pacific ready, or should the carrier strike group stay closer to home?
There has been considerable debate over the prospect of deploying the UK Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to the Indo-Pacific region in 2025. Here we look at the outline programme for the deployment and consider the case for and against a change of plan.
Current news
Keel laid for HMS Dreadnought – first of new class of ballistic missile submarines for the Royal Navy
Today the Prime Minister formally laid the keel for HMS Dreadnought. This is a ceremonial occasion only as much of the boat has already been fabricated.
HMS Somerset and HMS Cattistock monitor another convoy of Russian ships passing through the English Channel
Yesterday Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset and minehunter HMS Cattistock, together with an RAF aircraft, monitored a Russian convoy of two warships and two merchant vessels passing close to the UK.
Royal Navy Vanguard-class submarine comes home after breaking the record for the longest patrol
A submarine returned home to the Clyde today following the longest ever patrol by a British nuclear deterrent-carrying boat.
Royal Navy Wildcat flight Integrates with Norwegian allies ahead of carrier strike deployment
Fleet Air Arm aviators are exercising with RN P2000 boats and the Norwegian Navy in the fjords around Bergen as they prepare for the flagship maritime deployment of 2025.
The future of UK strategic sealift
Work to replace the ships that carry British military equipment around the globe is at an early stage. Here we look at the background and requirements of the Strategic Sealift – Future (SSL-F) programme.
Australia publishes AUKUS submarine industrial strategy – a Royal Navy perspective
Australia’s recently released AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy marks a step forward in the country’s ambition to field a conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet, built in close partnership with the United Kingdom and the United States. While much of the focus has been on how Australia will develop its sovereign nuclear capability, the strategy carries significant implications […]
CETUS – the Royal Navy’s first uncrewed submarine launched
CETUS, first Extra Large Underwater Autonomous Vehicle (XLUAV) technology demonstrator to be owned by the RN was launched in Plymouth this week.
Britain increases defence spending – turning point or political grandstanding?
The government’s pledge to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 is being touted as a decisive move to strengthen UK military capability. However, the reality behind the headlines is far murkier.
Accelerating innovation, collaboration and delivery in undersea defence
In this guest article, Captain Adrian Pierce RN(Rtd) takes an overview of developments to secure the undersea battlespace.
