Royal Navy Orders 6 Unmanned Warships to Replace Type 45 Destroyers by Early 2030s

According to Financial Times, on June 29, the Royal Navy ordered at least six mixed-propulsion combat vessels capable of deploying unmanned systems in air and underwater operations, with delivery expected in the early 2030s. The new general-purpose warships will replace the aging Type 45 destroyers, marking the first hybrid-powered warships in the Royal Navy's fleet.

The UK government is canceling its previous plan to build eight Type 83 destroyers and scrapping the five Type 32 frigates program announced in 2020. The final defense plan, finalized by the new Defense Secretary, allocates an additional £10 billion in defense spending, bringing total new defense investment to over £145 billion. The Ministry stated the new vessels will serve as "unmanned system control centers, extending the Navy's combat range and firepower without proportional increases in crew size or costs."