- Britain has abandoned plans for new Type 83 destroyers, opting instead to procure at least six advanced "common combat vessels" (CCVs) for the Royal Navy.
- These CCVs, expected in the 2030s, will serve as crucial hubs for uncrewed systems, reflecting a significant shift towards drones and military modernisation.
- The change in defence strategy is primarily driven by concerns over increased Russian submarine activity in the Atlantic, particularly near critical undersea cables.
- The Ministry of Defence's investment plan (Dip), expected to be published imminently, includes an additional £14.5 billion, though critics suggest more funding may be required.
- The new strategy also allocates £500 million to Britain's commandos for high-speed boats and strike drones, with a focus on countering Russian activity in the High North.
IN FULL
Plans to replace ageing destroyers scrapped to make way for drones in ‘hybrid Navy’
