UK commits to two new survey ships, the first to be procured this year
Echo-class multi-role survey vessel HMS Enterprise. (Photo: UK MoD/ Crown Copyright)
Galvanised by the recent damage to the Nordstream pipelines, the UK is procuring new ships for keeping tabs on critical undersea infrastructure.
Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced the UK MoD would procure two Multi Role Survey ships for seabed warfare.
Wallace said the first of the two ships would be purchased before the end of this year, fitted out in the UK and then enter service before the end of 2023.
The compressed timeline makes it almost certain the ship, first announced as the Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance Ship (MROSS) requirement in 2021, will be a commercial vessel.
Wallace added that a second ship would be built in the UK but offered no timeline
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Russia’s uncrewed boat portfolio hints at future naval demand]()
Russia’s uncrewed boat portfolio hints at future naval demand
Ukrainian intelligence has catalogued more than 20 Russian uncrewed surface vessels, revealing a portfolio weighted towards mine warfare and logistics, with implications for Western naval investment.
-
![Ukraine’s new long-range 12m autonomous vessel can deploy other drones]()
Ukraine’s new long-range 12m autonomous vessel can deploy other drones
Ukraine’s UForce unveiled the MV11 uncrewed surface vessel, designed to launch and support other naval drones at sea, fuelling debate over the future of autonomous maritime task groups.
-
![Global submarine suppliers compete for a rapidly shrinking market]()
Global submarine suppliers compete for a rapidly shrinking market
Diminishing submarine competitions worldwide are leaving fewer acquisition opportunities, pushing contractors toward alternatives.
