
What will be the real consequences of axing the Royal Navy’s LPDs?
On 20th November 2024, the Defence Secretary announced that HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark would be decommissioned. Here we look at the context, justifications and potential consequences of this decision.
Current news

Royal Navy frigate HMS Argyll could be sold to Chile instead of becoming a training ship
The decommissioned frigate HMS Argyll will not go to the Clyde to be used as a training platform for apprentices as previously announced and may be sold overseas.

HMS Sutherland – last Royal Navy Type 23 frigate to undergo life extension refit goes back to sea
Following LIFEX and engine upgrade refit period lasting 49 months, HMS Sutherland sailed from Devonport this afternoon.

Navantia announce continued investment in Harland and Wolff shipbuilders
Navantia has taken control of Harland and Wolff and at an event held in Belfast today, attended by senior leadership from Spain, promised further investment in skills and facilities.

First Type 31 frigate HMS Venturer due to be launched this Spring
The Type 31 programme will reach a major milestone later this year with the rollout of HMS Venturer from the construction hall ahead of being lowered into the water. Here we summarise recent progress and near term plans.

Royal Navy submarine diplomacy: sending a warning to Russia
In this article, we consider in more detail the implications following the revelation that an RN submarine deliberately surfaced close to the Russian spy ship Yantar in November 2024.

The Royal Navy – convening force to protect UK maritime infrastructure
The 2025 SDR is likely to give much-increased weight to UK mainland defence. The RN has a critical part to play in this defence, in some ways a return to its historical roots but also adapting to new threats and meeting the exponential growth in seabed warfare challenges.

Shadow fleet showdown: NATO responds to grey zone threats in the Baltic
In this article, we consider the growing challenges for NATO in countering a series of attacks on pipelines and cables in the Baltic Sea and the dangers posed by merchant ships of the Russian ‘shadow fleet’.

Fleet Air Arm centenary: looking ahead to the next 100 years
In this guest article, Stuart Dee and Charlotte Kleberg summarise the challenges ahead for Royal Navy aviation.

Programme EUSTON – floating dry docks for Royal Navy submarines
In this primer, we look at the plan to acquire floating dry docks for Royal Navy nuclear submarine maintenance at Faslane.