Royal Navy

Latest in Royal Navy

The U.K. Ministry of Defense has confirmed that the Royal Navy’s forthcoming Type 26 City class frigates will be armed with the Stratus missiles, being developed under the Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) program. The missiles will provide an important boost to the Royal Navy’s standoff land-attack and anti-surface warfare capabilities from the early 2030s. However, for the time being, the Royal Navy frigates will use only the low-observable version of the missile, rather than the supersonic one.

Royal Navy’s Type 26 Frigates Will Be Armed With Stratus Stealth Cruise Missile

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Dec 2, 2025

F-35B UK issues

United Kingdom’s F-35 Program Slammed For Cost-Saving Blunders

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 24, 2025

The Yantar, a notorious Russian spy ship, directed lasers at the crews of U.K. Royal Air Force aircraft in waters off the north of Scotland, the British government said today.

Russian Spy Ship Targets Royal Air Force Jets With Laser

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 19, 2025

The U.K. Royal Navy flagship, HMS Prince of Wales, is now carrying 24 F-35B fighters — the largest number to go aboard either of the U.K’s two aircraft carriers. This is a significant achievement for the British F-35 force, which has long faced questions about the feasibility of deploying a meaningful number of the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) jets at sea — without U.S. Marine Corps aircraft making up the numbers.

British Carrier Hosts Largest Number Of F-35Bs On A Ship Ever

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 7, 2025

The U.K. Royal Air Force F-35B stealth jet that was forced to make an emergency diversion to Japan last week is still there, the U.K. Ministry of Defense has told TWZ.

UK F-35B Still Stranded In Japan Is Awaiting Spare Parts

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Aug 14, 2025

Image of HMS TIRELESS at sea. HMS Tireless is over 25 years old but still playing a vital role in the front-line Fleet. HMS Tireless is the third of the seven Trafalgar-class submarines built at Barrow by Vickers. She was launched on 17 March 1984, so she has been plying her trade in the Royal Navy for more than a quarter of a century, but a lengthy overhaul of her propulsion, weapons systems and sensors put her in good shape for the gruelling programme of training and trials which followed.

Royal Navy’s Last Nuclear Attack Submarine Of The Cold War-Era Heads Into Retirement

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 21, 2025

The latest addition to General Atomics' MQ-9B medium-altitude long-endurance drone family is set to be an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) configured version.

MQ-9B Airborne Early Warning Variant Could Fill Major Aerial Surveillance Gaps

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 17, 2025

The Submarine Dismantling Project (SDP) finally started at Rosyth in December 2016, around 15 years behind schedule.

A Royal Navy Nuclear Submarine Is Being Scrapped For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 6, 2025

Royal Navy wants to arm carriers with drones and long-range missiles

Royal Navy To Arm Its Carriers With Long-Range Missiles

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 3, 2025

A detail model has provided what’s likely our best idea of how the U.K. Royal Navy’s new Dreadnought class nuclear ballistic submarine, or SSBN will appear. The four Dreadnought ‘bombers’ represent one of the most important U.K. defense programs for many years and it’s notable to see how many advanced features the design includes, as the Royal Navy seeks to find the optimum balance between speed, stealth, and firepower. The four new SSBNs will replace the Vanguard class that entered service in the 1990s.

Our Best Look Yet At Britain’s New Dreadnought Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Design

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 31, 2025

Royal Navy warships tracked a suspected Russian spy ship as it sailed through waters close to the UK. Yantar, believed to be used by the Russian Navy for intelligence gathering, was shadowed by HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne. Somerset covertly launched her Merlin helicopter, which used its powerful sensors to locate the Russian ship as it made its way north towards the English Channel. The Type 23 frigate closed in on Yantar’s location and intercepted it in the entrance to the Channel – south of the traffic separation scheme at Ushant, near France. The Plymouth-based warship took over monitoring duties from NATO allies after they shadowed Yantar in waters close to France. Somerset used her cutting-edge radars and sensors to report on every move during the operation, as she maintained a close distance to Yantar through the Channel and the Strait of Dover. Patrol ship Tyne was also monitoring the Yantar – last in waters around the UK in November when its activities were monitored by several Royal Navy units.

Royal Navy Nuclear Submarine Surfaced Next To Russian Spy Ship To Send A Clear Message

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 23, 2025

Pictured is an RAF Chinook (27(R) Squadron) flying in formation with a Puma (230 Squadron) over RAF Cosford. After a 3-year Covid-enforced break, the RAF Cosford Air Show will take place on 12 June 2022. The last RAF-organised air show, it attracts 50,000 people to the airfield and incorporates a flying display, static aircraft displays, STEM displays and vintage villages. The highlights of the flying will be the RAF Red Arrows, BBMF, Typhoon display team, Belgian F16 and French Rafale. The RAF F35B displayed at the air show for the first time.

British Defense Cuts Hit All Three Services Hard

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 20, 2024

A fire has ripped through the BAE Systems’ nuclear submarine shipyard in Cumbria, England, where the U.K. Royal Navy’s Dreadnought class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), among others are being built. While the cause of the blaze is yet to be determined, it comes at a time of increasing concern about Russian-inspired sabotage activities across Europe.

Cause Of Fire At UK’s Critical Nuclear Submarine Shipyard Still Unclear

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 30, 2024

Australia To Help Maintain Visiting U.S. Nuclear Submarine For The First Time

Australia To Help Maintain Visiting U.S. Nuclear Submarine For The First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 22, 2024

General Atomics has revealed a new fifth member of its Gambit modular drone family that is carrier-capable and that could represent a step forward in a broader naval aviation vision for the United Kingdom and other countries.

New Carrier-Based Version Of The Gambit Family Of Combat Drones Is In The Works

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 23, 2024

The United Kingdom has announced plans to build up to six new Multi Role Support Ships (MRSS), a new class of amphibious warfare vessels that will join an ambitious shipbuilding program that now includes a total of 28 warships and submarines. The new MRSS vessels will also accommodate drones, a growing area of interest for the U.K. Royal Navy.

Royal Navy To Get Up To Six New Amphibious Warships

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 14, 2024