Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Paragraph: 46
The Navy cannot fulfil the full ambition of the Integrated Review with its current fleet.
Conclusion
The Navy cannot fulfil the full ambition of the Integrated Review with its current fleet. It needs more lower-end, adaptable vessels, like the planned Type 31 frigate, to fulfil the presence operations planned. A large part of the Government’s plan to address this relies on increasing availability, as well as through the Type 32 programme. We are not convinced that increased availability can produce enough vessels to be relied upon in an emergency. If the Navy intends to deliver all missions, especially the presence the IR specifies, growth of major surface combatants needs to double, with growth from small, adaptable vessels. The resource budget, personnel and the number of auxiliary vessels should grow commensurately. This expansion will require a significant increase in funding.
Paragraph Reference:
46
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Response: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is confident it can realise the ambitious plans outlined in the IR. For the RN, central to this is the commitment to procure up to five Type 32 Frigates in addition to the ongoing build of five Type 31 Frigates. Alongside the existing commitment to build eight Type 26 Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates, this will mean that by 2030 the total number of frigates and destroyers will increase beyond the current 18. To enable this, it will be crucial to deliver T26 and T31 and commit to the T32 build. This will complement the planned build of three FSS Ships to support Carrier Strike, and the purchase of a Multi Role Surveillance vessel to provide a Critical National Infrastructure protection capability. In tandem, the build of up to six Multi-Role Support Ships (MRSS) in the early 2030s, as cited in the Defence Command Paper, is needed to fully realise the benefits of Littoral Strike, while the funding for the concept and assessment phase of Future Air Defence System is an essential step in building a counter hypersonic capability into our Type 45 replacement. Greater forward presence and ship availability are also dependent on continued investment in the RN’s support architecture (including the Future Maritime Support Programme and shipbuilding pipeline) alongside flexible crewing models. These investments will ensure the RN remains ready to rapidly respond to crises. To allow this, the appropriate force elements and capabilities, including Carrier Strike and Littoral Strike forces, are held at very high readiness.