Navy Lookout – HMS Albion returned to Devonport last week after another highly successful deployment and will now go into a state of reduced readiness. Unfortunately, this will leave the RN temporarily without its primary amphibious platform as her sister ship, HMS Bulwark will not be ready to replace her until next year.

Navy Lookout – Last week Government finally published the Defence Command Paper (delayed since mid-June) which was supposed to provide more precise detail about the structure and future of the armed forces following the aspirations of the Integrated Review (Refresh) launched in March. Here we take an overview of what the DCP23 says, or does not say, about the future of the Royal Navy.

Navy Lookout – In a previous article, we took a speculative look at how the Type 26 frigate mission bay could be utilised. More than four years on, the RN has provided some further detail on the specifications for this space on its future surface combatant.

Navy Lookout – In this article, we examine the layout, equipment and initial trials programme for RFA Stirling Castle, the first of the vessels recently purchased by the RN for use as a mothership.

Navy Lookout – Amid some adverse comment questioning why the Royal Navy sending one of its few high-end air defence platforms to the region, HMS Dauntless is about to begin operations in the Caribbean. Here we outline the sound reasons for this unusual deployment.

Navy Lookout – In this guest article, Kamil Sadowski considers how navies may employ surface platforms to counter the evolving threat from UUVs.

Navy Lookout – In a Parliamentary answer, it was revealed this week that the RN’s Wildcat helicopter will not be certified to launch the Sea Venom missile until 2026.

Navy Lookout – An increase in resignations and slow down in recruitment in the last 18 months means sailor numbers are declining. Here we look at some of the causes, the long-term effects and potential remedies.

Forces Net – A quarter of the Royal Navy’s frigates spent zero days at sea in 2022, it has been revealed.

(Thanks to Alain)

Defense News – The defense ministers of Germany and the United Kingdom have pledged to keep up their respective military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, while also outlining their plans for military deployments

UK Defence Journal – British and American naval forces came to the aid of a merchant ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz on June 4, after the vessel made a distress call claiming harassment by Iranian fast-attack boats. The fast-attack boats were identified as belonging to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy.

Navy Lookout – A long-term project is underway to develop a suite of maritime uncrewed air systems (MUAS) to dramatically enhance the carrier air group and RN air power. Here we look at the latest plans for the Future Maritime Aviation Force.

Naval News – The UK Royal Navy is studying the introduction of aircraft launch and recovery systems on board its two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers to ‘open up’ the flight deck to a broader range of crewed and uncrewed air systems.

Naval News – The UK Royal Navy is planning to flight test the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Mojave short takeoff/landing unmanned air system from the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales later this year.

Naval News – The UK Royal Navy has provided further details on the development, delivery timeframe, and operational capabilities of its Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance Ship programme, including plans for the second vessel in the two-ship class.

Navy Lookout – Unofficial naval sources say that the frigate HMS Westminster has been found to be in such a poor state that it would be difficult to justify the expense of repairs and her refit has been stopped, pending a decision on her future.

Navy Lookout – HMS Scott will now serve in the Royal Navy for a decade longer than originally planned.

Navy Lookout – The RN currently has no stock of sea mines or dedicated minelaying platforms. Here we look at whether regenerating this capability would be worthwhile and the options available.

Navy Lookout – Speaking today at the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference, Admiral Sir Ben Key, confirmed the Type 31 Inspiration Class frigates will be equipped with the Mk41 VLS.

Navy Lookout – RFA Fort Victoria, the UK’s only vessel capable of providing solid stores logistic support to the Carrier Strike Group has been non-operational since late 2021 with mechanical and crewing issues putting a question mark over her future.

Navy Lookout – Exercise Tamber Shield saw four RN Wildcat helicopters deployed in Norway to develop tactics for the use of Martlet and Sea Venom missiles against fast attack craft.

Navy Lookout – HMS Prince of Wales’s unfortunate breakdown in August 2022 requiring extended repair work has not enhanced the RN’s image and provided perfect fodder for mainstream media always keen to exaggerate problems with aircraft carriers. Here we provide a brief summary of the situation and the ship’s future programme.

Navy Lookout – As the RN begins the transition from crewed minehunters to autonomous systems, the first boat has been deployed to Bahrain in the Persian Gulf. This is a small but significant step and much rests upon the success of this vessel in the operational environment.

Breaking Defense – UASHLC has been designed to explore future uncrewed maritime concepts, including assessment of ship-to-ship (intra-theater) and ship-to-shore (inter-theater) beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) resupply operations, potentially covering uncrewed delivery of humanitarian aid items, ammunition and spare parts.

Navy Lookout – In the last 12 months, a significant number of Royal Navy vessels have been retired. Funding shortfalls play a part but the situation is more complex than just cuts to save money. Here we look at the reasoning, the risks involved and the plans to replace the capabilities of these ships.