Warships: Procurement
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 57, what are the first seven ships that will come online before 2033.
Answered by Luke Pollard
As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, the Ministry of Defence will be implementing a phased retirement Type 23 Frigates after decades of proud and faithful service.
The Government is investing in: new autonomous surface vessels; autonomous sub-surface; an amphibious fleet with the Netherlands; future Common Combat Vessels; and delivering a combined force of 13 Type 26 frigates with Norway expected to enter service from the late 2020s; five Type 31 frigates expected to be in service by the early 2030s; and new Fleet Solid Support ships.
To avoid compromising operational security, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose individual out of service dates or specific in-service dates for warships to avoid revealing elements of the Fleet's long-term schedule. However, the Royal Navy continues to ensure that it has sufficient assets available to deliver operational outputs.
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