Current RN News and Updates

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Navy Lookout
Mainstream media catching up with what we have been (calmly) reporting for the last couple of years
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... -navy.html

Navy Lookout
HMS Audacious is still alongside today - awaiting dry dock 523 days since she arrived in Devonport.
Note: some of the refit work is being conducted while she is afloat.

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MOD confirms Investment in Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapons
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/mod-con ... p-weapons/

No evidence Belarusian nationals accessed submarine details
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/no-evid ... e-details/

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British assault ship has spent over seven years in port
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british ... s-in-port/

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Should the Royal Navy consider an alternative approach to Multi-Role Support Ship design?

In this guest article, Robert Moyse argues that the RN should take inspiration from the US Marine Corps and consider cheaper, smaller and more numerous vessels to meet the MRSS requirement.

Background
The forthcoming Strategic Defence Review (SDR) will need to make some hard decisions. There are large funding gaps across the whole defence budget and MRSS is a large, potentially expensive programme that is potentially vulnerable to the axe or at least de-scoping.

There could be cheaper, quicker and better ways of enabling the UK Commando Force (UKCF) operating concept. The days of assured Western sea and air dominance are gone. The US Marine Corps has thought deeply about this in the context of a war in the Pacific. They have concluded that their traditional large amphibious platforms can no longer survive up-threat and they need more baskets with fewer eggs in each – no single vessel should be mission-critical. Even though the UKCF concept is quite different to the USMC Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept, the logic is still applicable.

Building smaller vessels instead of the large assault ships to support the core littoral strike mission has procurement benefits as well as potential tactical advantages. They can be built faster, for less money in a wider variety of shipyards. This would allow a more flexible spending profile, making it easier for the MoD to manage its cash flow and, if necessary, build the amphibious fleet in increments as resources become available. More rapid delivery would also reduce the money that will need to be spent to keep ageing platforms going, especially RFA Argus.

Continues https://www.navylookout.com/should-the- ... ip-design/

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British frigate fires torpedo off Scottish coast
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british ... ish-coast/

BAE acquires Kirintec to expand electronic warfare portfolio
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/bae-acq ... portfolio/

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Argentina no threat to Falklands, even with F-16 jets
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/argenti ... f-16-jets/

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Royal Navy considering nuclear powered warships

The Royal Navy is exploring the use of nuclear power for its surface ships, with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) issuing a Request for Information (RFI) seeking insights from the defence industry.

The RFI signals the Royal Navy’s interest in understanding how Generation 4 nuclear reactors might be integrated into its fleet.

The MOD has emphasised that this RFI is not a tender but a way to gather information from industry leaders. The request is being conducted in line with the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS), which seeks to foster productive relationships with defence and security industries.

The MOD states that any future procurement will comply with relevant legislation, but it clarifies, “No more further discussions with industry are planned at this stage. In the event of any future procurement activity, it would be advertised in line with public procurement regulations on the Defence Sourcing Portal and Contracts Finder.”

The Royal Navy is specifically looking into the possibility of using Generation 4 nuclear technologies, including both larger nuclear reactors and micro modular reactors, for powering large surface ships.

The RFI highlights the need for detailed technical information, stating, “The Royal Navy (RN) is seeking information regarding integrating Generation-4 nuclear technologies for surface ship employment. Exploring scopes for alternative energy paradigms, the Royal Navy is gathering information on energy solutions for powering large surface ships.”

Generation 4 nuclear technologies are the next generation of advanced reactors designed to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability compared to older models. These reactors focus on reducing nuclear waste, using fuel more efficiently, and incorporating passive safety systems to prevent accidents.

A key feature is the development of smaller, modular designs like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are more flexible and can be deployed in a wider range of settings, including for naval applications. These reactors also aim to reduce the environmental impact of nuclear power while maintaining high operational performance.

The RFI goes on to explain the objective of the information-gathering exercise:
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/royal-n ... -warships/

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Royal Navy considering nuclear powered warships

The Royal Navy is exploring the use of nuclear power for its surface ships, with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) issuing a Request for Information (RFI) seeking insights from the defence industry.

The RFI signals the Royal Navy’s interest in understanding how Generation 4 nuclear reactors might be integrated into its fleet.

The MOD has emphasised that this RFI is not a tender but a way to gather information from industry leaders. The request is being conducted in line with the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS), which seeks to foster productive relationships with defence and security industries.

The MOD states that any future procurement will comply with relevant legislation, but it clarifies, “No more further discussions with industry are planned at this stage. In the event of any future procurement activity, it would be advertised in line with public procurement regulations on the Defence Sourcing Portal and Contracts Finder.”

The Royal Navy is specifically looking into the possibility of using Generation 4 nuclear technologies, including both larger nuclear reactors and micro modular reactors, for powering large surface ships.

The RFI highlights the need for detailed technical information, stating, “The Royal Navy (RN) is seeking information regarding integrating Generation-4 nuclear technologies for surface ship employment. Exploring scopes for alternative energy paradigms, the Royal Navy is gathering information on energy solutions for powering large surface ships.”

Generation 4 nuclear technologies are the next generation of advanced reactors designed to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability compared to older models. These reactors focus on reducing nuclear waste, using fuel more efficiently, and incorporating passive safety systems to prevent accidents.

A key feature is the development of smaller, modular designs like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are more flexible and can be deployed in a wider range of settings, including for naval applications. These reactors also aim to reduce the environmental impact of nuclear power while maintaining high operational performance.

The RFI goes on to explain the objective of the information-gathering exercise:
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/royal-n ... -warships/

UK may soon be operating nuclear powered warships
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-may- ... -warships/

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Navy Lookout
On 26th August HMS Trent (working with USCG) made the Royal Navy's first interception of a Narco Sub.
The Narcotics-carrying semi-submersible transporting 1,200 pounds of cocaine was boarded in the Caribbean Sea.
4 Photos https://x.com/NavyLookout/status/1834144490992365850

More details about Narco Subs by CovertShores here: http://www.hisutton.com/Transatlantic-N ... 02406.html

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Navy Lookout
On 26th August HMS Trent (working with USCG) made the Royal Navy's first interception of a Narco Sub.
The Narcotics-carrying semi-submersible transporting 1,200 pounds of cocaine was boarded in the Caribbean Sea.
4 Photos https://x.com/NavyLookout/status/1834144490992365850

More details about Narco Subs by CovertShores here: http://www.hisutton.com/Transatlantic-N ... 02406.html

Royal Navy hunts down narco-sub carrying £160m of cocaine

Includes 20 photos.

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2024/ ... ibbean-sea