Although the build and outfitting of HMS Prince of Wales, the second of the UK’s new class of aircraft carrier, continues broadly on schedule, budgetary pressures still shadow the long-running programme.
According to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) 2018 Equipment Plan released on 5 November, the Queen Elizabeth-class carrier programme saw an increase of £149 million ($195 million) to its budget, based on 2017/2018 aggregate forecasts.
Initially budgeted to cost around £3.5 billion, the programme is now expected to cost the UK taxpayer in excess of £6 billion by its close.
Further, the report stated that UK
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The expansion of the Redstone facility in Alabama will enable Raytheon to increase production of Standard Missiles in the location by 50% and support Washington in refilling stockpiles after recent operations have depleted the Pentagon’s reserves.
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.
The offensive against Iran could impact training and maintenance cycles and accelerate the degradation of the US arsenal on top of depleting Washington’s stockpiles.
The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.
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