After action report – Royal Navy’s busiest air defence activity since 1982
On the 9th of January 2024, HMS Diamond was involved in a significant action with US forces defending merchant vessels in the Red Sea from a mass air attack launched from Yemen. Here we analyse the information available about this event.
Assessing Russia’s first major naval loss of the war in Ukraine
In the early morning of 24 March, a Russian tank landing ship unloading in the occupied port of Berdyansk in Ukraine was destroyed by explosions and fire. Here we look at the background, the loss of this vessel and its potential implications.
The National Shipbuilding Strategy and the future of the Royal Navy
The much-delayed National Shipbuilding Strategy ‘refresh’ document was finally published on 10th March. Here we examine the plan in the context of the future Royal Navy fleet.
Royal Navy and partners rehearse protecting NATO’s Northern Flank from Russian attack
NATO Exercise Cold Response 2022 (CR22), the largest cold-weather exercise in Norway since the 1980s began this week. In this photo and video essay, we look at the naval aspects, the strategic context and Royal Navy participation.
Transporting military hardware around the world – UK strategic sealift
A Private Finance Initiative provides the UK Ministry of Defence with four roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) ships available to deliver military vehicles and other equipment around the globe. Here we look at these ships, plans to replace them and their tasks, including recent work to reinforce the British Army in Europe.
Delivery of many critical Royal Navy capabilities still years away
On 21 February the MoD published the Defence Equipment Plan (EP) which focuses on procurement for the next decade. Here we take an overview of some of the implications for naval capability.
Situation report: the naval aspects of the war in Ukraine
Here we take a brief overview of the current naval situation following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Royal Navy’s ocean survey vessel HMS Scott extended in service
With no replacement in sight, the MoD has confirmed that HMS Scott will remain in service slightly longer than planned and is now scheduled to be withdrawn next year instead of in 2022.
The Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers – status report
With the return of HMS Dragon to Portsmouth last week, at the time of writing, all six of the Type 45 destroyers are alongside or in dock. Depending on who you listen to, this is either an embarrassing disaster or entirely routine and no cause for concern. Here we look at the current situation and […]
