General · 29 June 2026
Royal Navy builds 6 hybrid drone warships, drops destroyers.
The Royal Navy is ditching plans for new destroyers, opting instead for at least six "hybrid" warships equipped to deploy drones. These new Common Combat Vessels are designed to manage airborne, surface and sub-surface uncrewed systems, thereby expanding the Navy's operational scope and offensive capabilities without requiring additional personnel or funding. This funding forms a component of efforts to combat Russian actions and safeguard vital underwater infrastructure, with the defence plan expected by 7 July.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs