UK carrier roadmap plots route to 2021 deployment

More from Naval Warfare

• RTX Raytheon enhances SM-3 and SM-6 production capacity

  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.

• What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement

  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.

• Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration

  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.

• HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment

  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.

• How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China

  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.

• UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet

  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.