Council on Geostrategy – As an island state, Britain and its overseas territories are heavily dependent on open access to the sea and freedom of navigation. The sea is a superhighway to access the rest of the world, whether by ship or by critical maritime infrastructure in the form of fibre optic cables, power lines, or gas pipelines. To meet its environmental commitments and maximise the opportunities of Net Zero, the UK also generates a growing percentage of its electricity from offshore wind farms. Guarding these maritime interests is the Royal Navy, as the custodian of the British nuclear deterrent which acts as the ultimate guarantor of the nation.

But a number of hostile states and competitors have grown stronger at sea over the past decade, countries which have sought to subvert the international order. To meet this challenge, it is widely acknowledged that Britain needs a larger and even more capable fleet. This Report provides a number of ideas as to how a stronger navy could be realised.

Navy Lookout – At the First Sea Lord’s Conference held this week in London, there were several announcements made about the future of the RN. Here we reflect on the news and events of the week.

Navy Lookout – When we summarised the condition of the RFA at the end of 2023 it was clear the service was facing significant challenges. In the last few months there has been little improvement and dissatisfaction amongst the shrinking workforce has come to a head.

Navy Lookout – In this article, we consider the potential upgrade projects at Devonport to accommodate Royal Navy warships into the next few decades.

Navy Lookout – The Defence Secretary will confirm in a speech today that the MRSS programme has been approved and the RN will receive up to 6 amphibious vessels.

Naval News – The UK Royal Navy is accelerating plans to build increased mass at sea, including by developing uncrewed air systems for operation from its two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.

UK Defence Journal – The Ministry of Defence has confirmed its commitment to outfitting multiple Royal Navy ships with the DragonFire Laser Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) by 2027.

(Thanks to Alain)

Navy Lookout – In this article we summarise the current status of the RN’s surface combatants.

Navy Lookout – Here we summarise recent progress with the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigate programme and the £300 million shipyard infrastructure investments being made by BAE Systems in Glasgow.

Navy Lookout – There have been a swathe of negative news stories about the RN in the last 6 months and received wisdom is that the Navy is in terrible shape. While facing enormous challenges, the outlook is not all bleak and here we highlight some reasons to believe the RN is still a very credible fighting force.

Navy Lookout – In March 2022 the National Shipbuilding Strategy refresh was published. Two years on, we consider how realistic this looks and the issues that will influence the future surface fleet.

BBC – From the first shout of “fireball” the crew of HMS Diamond have just two minutes to react. In that time they have to work out whether the missile, travelling at more than three times the speed of sound, poses a direct threat to their ship and nearby merchant vessels.

Navy Lookout – The RN-led UK Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO) coordinates the flow of information around commercial shipping sailing in dangerous waters. Here we look at how this valuable service provides reassurance to mariners, improves safety of life at sea and helps reduce their risk of exposure to piracy or attack.

Navy Lookout – Steadfast Defender 2024 (STDE24) is the largest military exercise staged by NATO since the alliance conducted ‘Reforger’ in 1988. In this photo essay, we cover the RN’s participation in the maritime elements of the exercise.

NavyLookout – In late 2023 an aerial target was destroyed during a successful test firing of the UK’s DragonFire Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) technology demonstrator. Here we look at DragonFire and the possibility of operational derivatives.

Navy Lookout – Serving as part of a coalition force that repelled multiple attack drones launched by Houthi rebels, HMS Richmond destroyed 2 aerial drones with her Sea Ceptor missile system.

Navy Lookout – HMS Victorious arrived in Devonport to begin a multi-year Deep Maintenance Period (DMP) in May 2023. Here we provide a some background and detail about the project.

Navy Lookout – Here we look at how the RN is developing its vision for fighting in the increasingly contested undersea domain in the next two decades.

Navy Lookout – HMS Diamond returned to Gibraltar on 10th February following two intense months deployed in the Red Sea, including action in combat. Here we summarise her time in Gibraltar and the current situation.

The Guardian – A Trident nuclear missile failed, plopping into the Atlantic during a test launch attended by the defence secretary last month, raising questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of Britain’s nuclear deterrent.

Navy Lookout – Here we provide an update on the complex support programme that is being undertaken to keep the Type 23 frigates in service.

The War Zone – The Royal Navy destroyer had been on station for months in the Red Sea region where it downed multiple drones.

Daily Mail – Britain is primed to test a Trident nuclear missile for the first time since 2016 amid growing fears of a global conflict, according to reports.

(Thanks to Alain)

Navy Lookout – Events in the Red Sea have seen the UK media and politicians waking up to the fact that the RN currently has a very limited land-attack missile capability. Here we round up briefly the options available right now and what might be expected for the future

Navy Lookout – During last-minute checks ahead of sailing for NATO exercise Steadfast Defender, it has been discovered that HMS Queen Elizabeth has a significant issue with her starboard propeller shaft. The ship will not sail on 4th February as planned and instead, HMS Prince of Wales will be readied to replace her.