UK destroyers decision highlights debate over defence risks, says expert

Andrew Brydon of Pinsent Masons was commenting after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed on Monday that the Royal Navy will procure at least six ‘Common Combat Vessels’ (CCVs) “as part of the system that will replace the current Type 45 destroyers”. This will be instead of replacing the current fleet with new Type 83 destroyers, it said.

The new CCVs – described by the MoD as a type of warship that “will act as a control hub for uncrewed systems” and extend the Navy’s “reach, resilience and firepower without a proportional increase in crew or cost” – are to be delivered from the early 2030s.

Further details are expected to be contained in the government’s forthcoming defence investment plan (DIP).

“Rather than concentrating capability in a small number of large, expensive ships, the Royal Navy’s shift to a hybrid navy will mix crewed and uncrewed capabilities and be more suited to the pace and nature of modern warfare,” the MoD said. “The funding announced in the DIP allows the National Armaments Director Group to commence the design work that will underpin the fundamental shift in how to deliver Air Defence at and from the sea.”

“When in service, these CCVs will work alongside eight Type 26 and five Type 31 crewed 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, representing a once in a generation investment in new maritime capability. It will also sustain and grow the UK’s shipbuilding sector, providing new work for British shipyards and maintaining vital skills. It demonstrates defence as an engine for growth and programmes funded through the defence investment plan are expected to back tens of thousands of new UK jobs,” it said.

Brydon said: “Investment in technology will be critical to the UK’s ability to evolve a modern, nimble military capability. With this will come opportunities for British industry and necessary choices for the government and military on how to spend their money. Discerning the best opportunities in a world of finite resources and the changing nature of defence risks and warfare will obviously be important.”

“A re-evaluation by the government, military and society as a whole of what this new world means for UK defence and military capabilities is necessary, so as to inform the choices ahead. However, time is not on our side. Although investment will clearly need to be allocated appropriately, there needs to be an understanding across all stakeholders, including the media and the wider public, that innovative approaches to transforming the UK’s military capability over the coming years will involve not only a degree of compromise with competing areas of public spending, but also moving more quickly and taking more risk in a planned way than has sometimes been the case in the past,” he added.