Warships
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made in exploring alternative approaches for the Royal Navy to deliver a (a) balanced and (b) cost-effective fleet.
Answered by Al Carns
The First Sea Lord has outlined a bold new vision for a ‘Hybrid Navy’ as demanded by the Strategic Defence Review. This paradigm shift proposes far greater use of autonomous systems, digitisation, and Artificial Intelligence to create a fleet of crewed and uncrewed systems, increasing the mass and lethality of future Naval Task Groups.
The plan also includes a re-imagined industrial and organisational model to accelerate delivery of cutting-edge technology to the frontline, supporting both operational advantage and UK industry. These proposals are being considered alongside other requirements as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
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