Britain will abandon plans to replace its ageing fleet of destroyers with a next-generation warship and instead procure at least six new “Common Combat Vessels”, the Ministry of Defence has announced.
The move marks a significant shift in naval strategy, with the Royal Navy pivoting towards vessels designed to support and control uncrewed systems. The current Type 45 destroyers are due to be retired by the end of 2038.
Under earlier plans, they were set to be replaced by a new class of destroyers known as Type 83. However, the government’s updated Defence Investment Plan has scrapped that proposal in favour of more flexible, hybrid ships.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said the new vessels would better prepare the UK for evolving military threats.
“These Common Combat Vessels will provide our dedicated sailors with hybrid ships that are designed and built for the increasing threats we face,” Jarvis said.
The Ministry of Defence said the vessels would act as command hubs for drones operating in the air, on the sea surface and underwater, reflecting the growing importance of autonomous systems in modern conflict.
The ships are expected to enter service from the early 2030s and will operate alongside crewed frigates and other planned autonomous platforms.
Officials said the programme would support domestic industry, with the new vessels to be built in the UK.
“Developed with exceptional British innovators, the new ships will be British-built, supporting jobs across the nation and giving the Royal Navy a capability built for modern warfare,” Dan Jarvis added.
The announcement comes as the government seeks to strengthen the country’s defence industrial base while modernising its armed forces.
The new strategy follows internal disagreements within the government over defence spending priorities. Earlier this month, former Defence Minister John Healey resigned over concerns that the Defence Investment Plan lacked sufficient funding.
Healey warned the government had failed to commit the resources needed to ensure national security, highlighting ongoing tensions over how to balance spending and capability.
Since taking over the role, Jarvis has emphasised the need to prioritise immediate threats and adapt to changing forms of warfare.
The shift towards hybrid vessels forms part of a wider rethink of the UK’s military strategy, with greater emphasis on speed, flexibility and advanced technology.
Recent priorities include investment in high-speed boats for commandos and the development of advanced strike drones, reflecting lessons drawn from recent conflicts.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said the long-awaited defence strategy would be unveiled within days, underlining the urgency of adapting to new forms of warfare.
“We have to be ready for any future war and what that will be like, not whatever the last war was like,” he said.
The decision to move away from traditional destroyers highlights a broader trend among Western militaries towards integrating autonomous systems into frontline operations.
By shifting to platforms designed around drones and flexible capabilities, Britain aims to ensure its naval forces remain effective in increasingly complex and technologically driven conflicts.
The coming strategy will outline how the UK plans to balance conventional military strength with emerging technologies, as defence planners prepare for the challenges of future warfare.
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