UK

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed plans to accelerate the procurement process for new surface fleet assets for both the Royal Navy and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, as confirmed in a recent parliamentary response.

Maria Eagle, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence, stated: “The Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy are committed to accelerating the pace of procurement. In a period of ever-increasing technological advancement, the ability to harness new capabilities and leverage innovation at pace is critical to the Navy as a credible, modern and capable force.”

The minister said that the goal of speeding up procurement aligns with the broader objectives set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy. She added: “Accelerating procurement is recognised across Defence, forming an important outcome within the Defence Industrial Strategy, and is being considered as part of the Security Defence Review.”

The forthcoming strategic defence review (SDR) in 2025 is expected to outline the future direction of the UK’s armed forces and the capabilities it needs to fulfil the demands placed on it.  About this briefing This briefing, one of a series on UK armed forces capabilities, looks at the surface fleet of the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, including frigates, destroyers, and support ships (information on submarines can be found in Commons Library briefing UK submarine fleet).  It provides information on current numbers, brief histories of procurement (where relevant) and future vessel plans, as known prior to the publication of the strategic defence review. It highlights concerns about capability gaps and the size of the fleet but it does not cover personnel numbers.  An inventory of equipment does not reflect the true capabilities of the British armed forces. However, the numbers, mix and type of vessels reflect the UK’s ambitions for the armed forces and guide the types of operations it can conduct or participate in. An overview of major operations can be found in Commons Library briefing UK armed forces operational commitments. The UK’s air capabilities are examined in Library briefing UK defence in 2025: aircraft fleets.  This briefing will be updated to reflect any decisions made by the Defence Secretary in the SDR. The SDR is expected to be published in spring 2025; the government has not given a firm date for publication.

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A summary of current ships in the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary and planned vessels.

The forthcoming strategic defence review (SDR) in 2025 is expected to outline the future direction of the UK’s armed forces and the capabilities it needs to fulfil the demands placed on it.

About this briefing

This briefing, one of a series on UK armed forces capabilities, looks at the surface fleet of the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, including frigates, destroyers, and support ships (information on submarines can be found in Commons Library briefing UK submarine fleet).

It provides information on current numbers, brief histories of procurement (where relevant) and future vessel plans, as known prior to the publication of the strategic defence review. It highlights concerns about capability gaps and the size of the fleet but it does not cover personnel numbers.

An inventory of equipment does not reflect the true capabilities of the British armed forces. However, the numbers, mix and type of vessels reflect the UK’s ambitions for the armed forces and guide the types of operations it can conduct or participate in. An overview of major operations can be found in Commons Library briefing UK armed forces operational commitments. The UK’s air capabilities are examined in Library briefing UK defence in 2025: aircraft fleets.

This briefing will be updated to reflect any decisions made by the Defence Secretary in the SDR. The SDR is expected to be published in spring 2025; the government has not given a firm date for publication.

View Online

The briefing is part of a series examining UK armed forces capabilities, focusing on the composition and role of the Royal Navy and RFA’s surface fleet, including frigates, destroyers, and support ships.

It highlights the current number of vessels, procurement histories where relevant, and planned acquisitions, offering valuable insights ahead of the upcoming Strategic Defence Review (SDR).

View Online