Britain’s recent decision to exit the European Union has not slowed the country’s efforts to modernize its Royal Navy ships, according to the United Kingdom’s senior sailor.
The first of two new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers remains on track to begin sea trials next year, said First Sea Lord Adm. Sir Philip Jones. And the British Parliament voted last week to build replacements for the nation’s aging Vanguard-class, nuclear-armed submarines.
Photo: MoD
“Both of these projects continue irrespective of last month’s referendum” on EU membership, Jones said in a July 21 speech in London. “Far from being a diminished nation, withdrawing from the world, the United Kingdom has both the intent and the means to protect our interests, shoulder our responsibilities and support our prosperity across the globe.”
Within a few years, the new carriers, whose lead contractor is BAE Systems, are to provide a continuously available carrier strike capability. And by 2023, the UK expects to have up to 24 Lockheed Martin [LMT] F-35B Joint Strike Fighters available to fly from carriers.
“The combination of two operational carriers and a credible number of jets is crucial to shaping Britain’s military power in the world,” Jones said. “It will offer the largest dedicated air group of fifth-generation fighters at sea, and the most potent carrier strike capability outside the United States.”
Jones highlighted several other developments in Royal Navy shipbuilding. The third new Astute-class attack submarine has entered service, and four more are in various stages of construction at BAE. New tanker vessels are being built, and new supply ships will follow. Type 23 frigates are slated to be replaced with eight Type 26 anti-submarine warfare frigates and at least five lighter Type 31 general purpose frigates.
“There will be challenging trade-offs to achieve in order to keep the price [of the new frigates] down, and the timescale is tight,” Jones said. “But if we get this right, and I am determined that we will, then there is a real chance to grow the size of the Royal Navy’s fleet for the first time in decades. This could enable a more frequent, or even a permanent, presence in parts of the world where we have admittedly been spread thin in recent decades.”
The U.K. plans to open a new naval base in Bahrain in a few years, and is exploring berthing options at Oman’s new commercial port of Duqm.