Starmer ditches plan to replace ageing destroyers in new ‘hybrid navy’

WorldPolitics
29 Jun 2026 • 1:39 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Starmer ditches plan to replace ageing destroyers in new ‘hybrid navy’

  • 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.

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