Current RN News and Updates

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Navy Lookout
BREAKING:
The MoD has announced it will accelerate the DragonFire Laser weapon from a demonstrator programme to an operational capability to be installed on Royal Navy warships.
Initially for use as a counter-UAV solution, it is hoped it will be operational by 2027 but prototypes might be sent to Ukraine sooner.
Via MBDAGroup Leonardo UK QinetiQ
Background:
https://navylookout.com/dragonfire-path ... oyal-navy/

Britain speeding up the fitting of laser guns to warships

The Ministry of Defence has announced the rollout of laser weapons systems far quicker than expected, following defence procurement reforms, with DragonFire to be on Royal Navy warships from 2027.

The cutting-edge DragonFire laser will be installed on Royal Navy warships for the first time from 2027.

Able to fire at any target visible in the air at around £10 a shot and with an accuracy equivalent to hitting a pound coin from a kilometre away, the powerful DragonFire weapon will provide highly effective defence against drone and missile threats.

“Laser weapons were originally expected to be rolled out to UK armed forces in 2032. But under a raft of reforms to defence procurement that came into effect this week and prioritisation within Defence, the weapon will now be operational around five years earlier than planned.

Continues https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain ... -warships/

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Sir Humphrey reposted
Deborah Haynes
This is important - Keir Starmer has pledged to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP if elected.
This is stronger than Rishi Sunak's vague ambition to hit that level when economic conditions allow.
Problem UK Labour will find is that 2.5% isn't anywhere near enough.

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British “Sieve Ship” To Join US & Japan For Trilateral Drills; HMS Prince Of Wales To Flex Muscles In Indo-Pacific

As bilateral cooperation between Japan and the United Kingdom grows, the Royal Navy’s carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, currently stationed in Portsmouth, is set to visit Japan next year as part of military drills to be conducted in the Indo-Pacific.

The British government announced on April 10 that it will begin conducting regular joint military drills in the Indo-Pacific region in 2025 in close collaboration with allies, the United States, and Japan.

Although the UK did not refer to any particular state, the move is supposedly aimed at deterring China in the region. A press release published by the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) stated, “The trilateral exercises will build on previous operations between the three countries—underlining the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific.”

According to British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, the proposed trilateral exercises would deliver “a strong message to anyone who would seek to undermine the rules-based international order…Our defense relationships are not limited by distance, and we stand ready to respond to any threat around the globe.”

Continues https://www.eurasiantimes.com/british-s ... prince-of/ LFT

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Royal Navy offer must improve to attract and retain staff – you can't motivate an empty chair

Recently retired from the Royal Navy after almost 30 years, Commodore Steve Prest says the service must improve its offer in order to recruit and retain sufficient numbers of the right people.

The former Director of Navy Acquisition says, no matter how good a leader one might be, you can't motivate an empty chair.

I retired from the Royal Navy on 1 April 2024 having served as an officer for 24 years and 289 days.

I joined the Royal Navy after reading Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Loughborough University and had an unusual entry into the Navy – I joined on 23 June 1999 on my own.

I was not part of a New Entry Division. I wasn't lined up on the Parade Square at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth – I pulled up to the front door of the college, reported to the hall porter and announced myself as "here to join the Navy".

He was a little surprised and was quite insistent that I couldn't park my car just outside the front door, having driven it up the ramps to find out where I ought to be.

Continues https://www.forces.net/opinion/royal-na ... mpty-chair

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Britain, America and Japan to hold joint drills

The UK, US and Japan will hold regular trilateral military exercises in the Indo-Pacific from 2025 to boost security in the region and further develop the ability of each country’s armed forces to operate together, announced the Ministry of Defence today.

The Indo-Pacific is particularly important for the UK due to growing economic ties with countries in the region, and the UK already conducts various exercises in the area – with HMS Spey and HMS Tamar continuously deployed.

Continues https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain ... nt-drills/

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WEEKLY CATCHUP

The UK Littoral Response Group (South) arrives in the Indo-Pacific
https://www.navylookout.com/the-uk-litt ... o-pacific/

UK clarifies position on citizens fighting for Israel
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-clar ... or-israel/

The rising tide of abuse against journalists
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/the-ris ... urnalists/

What percentage of GDP has the UK spent on defence?
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/what-pe ... n-defence/

A closer look at BAE Systems’ new ‘frigate factory’ in Glasgow
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/a-close ... n-glasgow/

Glasgow frigate shipyard keen for international orders
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/glasgow ... al-orders/

Glasgow shipyards benefit from biggest investment in decades
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/glasgow ... n-decades/

BAE target dramatic reduction in frigate build time
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/bae-tar ... uild-time/

BAE Systems address national skills gap in shipbuilding
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/bae-sys ... pbuilding/

BAE apprentices describe meaning behind their work
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/bae-app ... heir-work/

BAE boost shipyards in Glasgow taking on 300 apprentices
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/bae-boo ... prentices/

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Navy Lookout
How to catch a Russian submarine
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/0 ... submarine/

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Royal Navy frigates getting sonar upgrade

UK Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) specialist SEA will demonstrate a software application to enhance the UK Royal Navy’s sonar systems as part of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Spearhead defence innovation programme.

The system, which is likely to be trialled later in 2024, automatically determines the optimum deployment depth of an active sonar projector and receiving array, depending on its underwater environment.

It intends to significantly enhance the Royal Navy’s detection and tracking capability.

Continues https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/royal-n ... r-upgrade/

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Royal Navy frigates getting sonar upgrade

UK Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) specialist SEA will demonstrate a software application to enhance the UK Royal Navy’s sonar systems as part of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Spearhead defence innovation programme.

The system, which is likely to be trialled later in 2024, automatically determines the optimum deployment depth of an active sonar projector and receiving array, depending on its underwater environment.

It intends to significantly enhance the Royal Navy’s detection and tracking capability.

Continues https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/royal-n ... r-upgrade/

Also https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/20 ... JdZa9FKNY8

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Ministry of Defence
DragonFire - the UK's first military laser.
Check out the next in our Delivering Defence series https://ow.ly/MTvw50RhTYW