The British Royal Navy plans to buy up to six new multirole support ships and give future frigates the ability to attack land-based targets. This offensive capability is in response to recent operations in the Red and Black seas, involving the fight against Yemen-based Houthi militants and the war in Ukraine. The service is seeking 28 new ships to address a shrinking fleet, with a goal to become the world’s most competitive maritime nation by 2050.
The U.K. government has refreshed its goal for shipbuilding, aiming to construct new ships domestically and increase defense spending by £75 billion over the next six years. Shipyards across the U.K. will be active, with specific construction projects planned in Scotland, northwestern England, Belfast, and Devon. The new multirole support ships are set to replace current amphibious support ships in the early 2030s and will be versatile platforms for various operations.
The newly built Type 26 and 31 frigates will include land-attack capabilities, following a trend among European navies. The push for greater defense readiness comes in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where British weapons have played a role in significant battlefield victories for Kyiv. The British government is focused on enhancing its military capabilities to meet rising threats to freedom of navigation and increase the ability to destroy targets at sea, in the air, and on land.