Navy Lookout – A recent paper produced by the Council on Geostrategy suggested that the RN should buy at least one additional Dreadnought-class submarine reconfigured as an SSGN to launch conventionally armed missiles. Here we consider this proposal and other options for increasing the submarine force strength.

Navy Lookout – Work has started on the third and final phase of the project to dismantle ex-HMS Swiftsure. As the demonstrator project for the dismantling programme, she will be the first former RN SSN to be fully disposed of.

War on the Rocks – After almost 59 years of controversial existence, the last vestige of the British Empire in the Indian Ocean, the British Indian Ocean Territory, is set to be wound up. On Oct. 3, Britain and Mauritius released a joint statement detailing a historic agreement via which sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, will be transferred to Mauritius. The sun is setting on the British Indian Ocean Territory and borders in the Indian Ocean are set to shift.

Navy Lookout – A Wildcat Helicopter has conducted a single successful test-firing of the Sea Venom missile at a barge anchored off the Aberporth Range in Wales. This trail marks a major step forward in the much-delayed integration of this important capability onto the Wildcat. Sea Venom has been in development since the late 1990s as the replacement for Sea Skua light anti-ship missile which was retired in 2017. It was supposed to go into service in 2023 but instead this capability has been gapped for almost a decade with FOC due in 2026.

Navy Lookout – An Astute Class submarine left HMNB Clyde this afternoon and is likely to be involved in the carrier strike group exercise Strike Warrior. She is the first Royal Navy SSN to go to sea since HMS Triumph returned to Devonport on 3rd July this year.

Navy Lookout – The sole UK solid stores support ship RFA Fort Victoria is being prepared to be laid up for at least a year, joining RFA Tiderace and RFA Wave Ruler in Seaforth Docks, Liverpool in long-term reserve.

Navy Lookout – Like all navies, the RN is seeking to reduce the number of sailors needed to operate its warships as qualified people are expensive and in short supply. While putting fewer people in harm’s way, a small crew can have limitations. In this article, we look at how the designers of the Type 31 frigate have balanced lean crewing with effective operation.

Navy Lookout – RFA Cardigan Bay arrived in Portland in early September after more than two years away from the UK. Due to crew shortages, the RFA is currently unable to move her from Portland to Falmouth to begin a planned refit.

RUSI – With the growing threat posed by Russia’s Northern Fleet and increased demand in the Indo-Pacific, the Royal Navy must overcome its submarine challenges to remain relevant.

Navy Lookout – The Type 26 frigate programme achieved another milestone last week with two ships now in the fitting out phase. HMS Cardiff joined the first class, HMS Glasgow in dry dock at Scotstoun.

(Thanks to Alain)

Navy Lookout – In this guest article, Robert Moyse argues that the RN should take inspiration from the US Marine Corps and consider cheaper, smaller and more numerous vessels to meet the MRSS requirement.

UK Defence Journal – HMS Bulwark, one of the Royal Navy’s two amphibious assault ships, has spent a significant amount of time out of active service, accumulating over 2,730 days in port, according to data from Open Source Intelligence analyst @TBrit90.

Navy Lookout – Today officers and crew serving in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are holding further strikes. As previously reported,the RFA that provides the Royal Navy’s critical afloat logistic support is in steep decline as it is increasingly unable to find people to crew its ships.

Navy Lookout – Early in 2023, the MoD purchased two former commercial vessels for the Naval Service. Despite their procurement ‘at pace’, RFA Proteus has yet to conduct any useful operations and RFA Stirling Castle is being laid up or ‘paused’ temporarily mainly due to a lack of qualified people to operate her.

Policy Exchange – The balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region is changing. How should the UK respond?

Navy Lookout – Following her return to the UK in July (and some well-deserved leave for her ship’s company), we were invited on board HMS Diamond to speak to the Commanding officer, Cdr Pete Evans. Here provide some more details about what was arguably the RN’s most intense warship deployment in more than a decade.

Navy Lookout – Almost a year ago we reported that none of the RN’s attack submarines (SSNs) were at sea. There has been only limited SSN activity since but here we summarise the current situation and look forward to improving future availability.

Defence Post – The Royal Navy has tested the upgraded Spearfish torpedo from a Vanguard-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine.

(Thanks to Alain)

RUSI – As the Royal Navy proceeds with its recapitalisation programme, what lessons can it draw regarding future threats from the conflicts in the Red Sea and Black Sea?

Navy Lookout – The RN’s frigates are supposed to be the backbone of the fleet but it has become increasingly difficult to keep the ageing Type 23s going while their replacements are some years away from commissioning. Here we look at the current situation and the implications for future fleet strength.

Navy Lookout – BAE Systems’ Maritime Services business is responsible for looking after 19 vessels based in Portsmouth. We were invited to see how the company is working to improve its methods, upgrade facilities and develop its people to maximise warship availability and provide greater choice to fleet planners.

Naval News – The United Kingdom and Australia’s future SSN-AUKUS (SSN-A) submarines will probably be operated by an integrated crew made of Australian and British sailors, the UK’s First Sea Lord said at the Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference in Perth.

Navy Lookout – At the Farnborough Airshow this week, GA-ASI unveiled its GAMBIT 5 catapult-launched Uncrewed Combat Air Vehicle concept for aircraft carriers. Here we look briefly at the idea and its potential for use by the Royal Navy.

Aviation Week – The UK is investigating options to give its new fleet of General Atomics Protector uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) sea legs, with a vision to operate the platform from the country’s two aircraft carriers.

The Sun – MORE than 100 Royal Navy submarine crew have been booted out for taking drugs in the past five years, stats show. They tested positive for cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy, and steroids and benzodiazepine.

(Thanks to Alain)