The UK Naval fleet is crucial to national and international security systems, but it also plays an important part in UK recruitment, jobs, and trades, including mechanics and engineering professionals for shipbuilding and ship refits. A future vision is needed for the armed forces.
The Future of National security
The United Kingdom naval fleet is a key part of the countries national security, it undertakes a series of tasks to protect the local seas, and that enables peers to undertake operations in demanding circumstances. But the UK also links up with global fleets for international security.
In order to maintain this important service and support for national and international security, the UK navy needs more investment to modernise and increase the size of the fleet. In the next decade, the UK navy will receive an investment of £63 billion to support new procurement.
Growing the naval Fleet
To fulfil its obligations to the UK government and international communities, the UK navy needs investment to increase the size and capabilities of its fleet. This will happen over the next decade with significant investment to support the procurement of surface ships and submarines.
One area that needs investment is the destroyer and frigate force. In 2015, the British government committed to sustaining 19 destroyers and frigates with the intention to grow the fleet by the 2030s. So contracts have been signed with BAE systems and plans announced.
Naval Shipbuilding in 2022
In order for the UK Navy to fulfil its goals and responsibilities for today and tomorrow, planned investment is needed. The UK Navy aims to have a fleet of destroyers and frigates that can be incrementally modernised for longevity and to support allies with numbers and technology.
In 2022 there are several ships in the process of manufacture to support the goals and vision for the 2030s. These ships include a national flagship, a multi-role ocean surveillance ship, a type 31 frigate, and a type 26 frigate, which will continue to be developed in 2022 and beyond.
What Steps are Needed?
In order to fast-track the ships and attain the goals for the 2030s, a stepped plan is needed. This begins with the public sector, where improvement can help to support procurement processes and ensure the UK navy has a clear grip over the requirements, cost, and time of the projects.
A stepped program has been developed that creates a clear line of sight between decision-makers and teams to introduce more efficiency into the procurement process. The steps also include fixed budgets for ships on which investment decisions have been made.
Long Term Shipbuilding Strategy
One of the challenges of long-term UK naval procurement is sustained investment from successive governments. In order to safeguard the vision for navy infrastructure and a clear and substantial long-term plan is needed to secure investment and resources for naval shipbuilding.
To achieve these aims, a Master Plan has been developed for the next 30 years that provides the strategy for long-term planning and success. This plan will deliver new destroyers and frigates that are modern and capable of adaptation and integration with global fleets.
