First Sea Lord outlines Royal Navy build-up and 450,000 tonnes of steel
First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins used an address to the International Sea Power Conference in Norway to set out the scale of the Royal Navy's renewal programme, including what it means for demand for steel and for the supply chain behind new ships and systems.
Shipbuilding programme
Jenkins described the work as the most extensive recapitalisation of the Royal Navy since the Second World War. The programme he listed includes:
- Thirteen new frigates already in build, including the Type 26s the UK will operate alongside Norway
- Six Common Combat Vessels, designed to command uncrewed systems
- Four Dreadnought submarines to renew the nuclear deterrent, with the Astute programme being completed
- Preparation, through AUKUS, for up to a dozen next-generation attack submarines
- Four new amphibious ships and four Fleet Solid Support ships
He said the existing programme represents 280,000 tonnes of new steel, rising to around 450,000 tonnes once planned programmes are included. He added that the Defence Secretary has asked for the Navy to be ready to fight within 1,000 days, and that its activity is focused on the end of the decade.
Hybrid Navy and Portsmouth facilities
Jenkins said the Hybrid Navy, which combines crewed and uncrewed capability, has moved from a vision on paper to delivery over the past 12 months. In response to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, RFA Lyme Bay was converted into a mothership for autonomous minehunting systems, and a fleet of several dozen Kraken uncrewed surface vessels was secured in a few months.
The Royal Navy's 1st Autonomous Squadron was commissioned in Portsmouth last week, giving autonomy a permanent operational home in the Fleet. Its first task will be coastal defence, using uncrewed vessels to monitor approaches, protect critical infrastructure and respond to hostile activity.
A Royal Navy Capability Accelerator Hub also opened in Portsmouth. It brings operators, capability teams, engineers and industry together to identify Fleet needs, test proven or near-ready technology, integrate it safely and get it to the front line quickly.
Counter-drone and Atlantic Net
Jenkins announced that a counter-drone capability will be integrated onto the Kraken scouts in the new year. He described it as a lower-cost, adaptable way to defeat airborne threats, keeping the most advanced missiles for threats that need them.
He also said phase one of Atlantic Bastion, known as Atlantic Net, will become operational within months. Delivered with Ocean Infinity, it is intended to detect hostile underwater activity earlier and strengthen protection of critical infrastructure, with benefits shared with NATO and Joint Expeditionary Force allies.
Jenkins also welcomed the signing of an agreement under the JEF Northern Navies Initiative, which he said followed nine months of work.
Source: GOV.UK supply chain · Image: Pixabay