Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyle(UK MOD Crown copyright)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 fullPlans to replace ageing destroyers scrapped to make way for drones in ‘hybrid Navy’Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

The UK's commandos will meanwhile be promised £500 million as part of the blueprint, with high-speed boats and strike drones for the elite force as Britain shifts its focus to…

Defence Investment Plan ditches large surface warship builds for lower cost AI systems

Controversial and delayed spending plan set to focus on creating new uncrewed task forces with additional training in drone warfare

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Underwater drones will be included in bid to tackle Russian submarine activity in the Atlantic

The Royal Navy will instead procure at least six ‘common combat vessels’, which will act as command hubs for uncrewed systems, officials said.

Ministers have been locked in an explosive battle over defence funding, which triggered the resignations of Defence Secretary John Healey and Al Carns, the armed forces minister

LONDON: Britain will scrap plans to replace its aging destroyers and will instead procure at least six “Common Combat Vessels” to serve as control hubs for uncrewed systems, the…

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The new vessels will replace the Royal Navy's six current Type 45 destroyers

The new defence investment plan (Dip) means the Navy will plan uncrewed, drone-compatible vessels

Capables de déployer des drones, les successeurs des destroyers pourront être utilisés pour « contrecarrer l’activité russe dans l’Atlantique Nord et le Grand Nord » et protéger…

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The Ministry of Defence has said the plan will pursue at least six "hybrid" warships designed to work with unmanned systems in the air and at sea.

Details about the plan for a new, hybrid Navy have raised doubts. If the UK fails to procure enough drones, missiles and torpedoes, this will be a historic mistake

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