Shift to Hybrid Warships in UK Defence Plan
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced that plans to build a new destroyer to replace the ageing Type 45 warships will be abandoned in favour of constructing at least six new modern "hybrid" vessels. These ships will be equipped to deploy drones, aligning with the UK's forthcoming defence investment plan (DIP).
The MoD stated that these new vessels would be better suited to the "pace and nature of modern warfare" and represent a more prudent investment compared to maintaining a "small number of large expensive ships."
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said the new equipment would be "designed and built for the increasing threats we face."
Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to publish the long-delayed DIP before the NATO summit in Turkey on 7 July, following months of negotiations over funding.
From Type 83 Destroyers to Common Combat Vessels
The MoD had been considering options to replace the Type 45 destroyers with the Type 83, a concept vessel still in early design stages. However, the investment focus has shifted towards six new Common Combat Vessels (CCVs). According to the department, these CCVs will be capable of "coordinating uncrewed systems in the air, on the surface and under the sea to deliver more resilient air defence."
The MoD emphasized that this change in strategy would extend "the Navy's reach, resilience and firepower without a proportional increase in crew or cost."
The government has not disclosed the specific funding allocated within the DIP for the development of these new vessels.
Strategic Roles and Industrial Impact
The new vessels are intended to support operations aimed at countering Russian activity in the North Atlantic and High North, protecting critical underwater infrastructure, and enhancing NATO deterrence.
Alongside support vessels, the MoD described the naval programme as "a once in a generation investment in new maritime capability," which will also provide employment opportunities for British shipyards.
Budget Negotiations and Ministerial Resignations
Protracted budget negotiations between the MoD, Treasury, and other government departments tasked with making cuts to fund the DIP have led to the resignations of John Healey as defence secretary and Al Carns as armed forces minister in recent weeks.
Healey stated that the Treasury had not committed sufficient additional funding to address capability gaps in the British military or to keep pace with changes in modern warfare.
Healey said Starmer had been "unable", and the Treasury "unwilling", to commit the resources needed to defend the country at "this time of rising threats."
Carns described the draft DIP plan as "neither transformative enough nor sufficiently funded."
Earlier in the weekend, the MoD indicated that the DIP had been "refreshed" over the two weeks following Healey's resignation. Dan Jarvis, Healey's successor, stated the plan would "prioritise getting the latest kit" into the hands of front-line forces, including "new lethal strike drones."
Jarvis has reportedly secured additional funding for the DIP since assuming office, although there is no indication it will reach the £28 billion extra that Healey previously asserted was necessary.
Additional Funding and Defence Spending Targets
On Saturday, the MoD announced that £500 million would be allocated to equip the UK's elite Commando Force with new boats and the "latest drone and autonomous technology" as part of the plan.
The government has committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. Along with other NATO allies, it has set an ambition to raise this to 3.5% by 2035.
NATO figures indicate that the UK spent 2.3% of GDP on defence as of 2025, slightly below the average for alliance members when excluding US spending.
In his resignation letter, Healey noted that the draft DIP at the time of his departure on 11 June planned for a rise to 2.68% of GDP by 2030.
Leadership and Publication Timeline
The Sunday Times reported that Andy Burnham, widely expected to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister next month, has reviewed and approved the DIP. The plan is scheduled for publication before Burnham potentially assumes office, which is anticipated on 20 July unless a challenger triggers a full Labour leadership contest.
