The Royal Navy Discussions and Updates

[StobieWan]

Some type 31 news, first one in the water a bit later than planned.

First Type 31 Frigate now due to enter the water soon

Babcock has confirmed revised timescales for its first Type 31 Inspiration Class frigate, announcing that HMS Venturer is now expected to float off in the first half of the 2025-26 financial year.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

Money has been allocated to the Royal Navy to allow it to field the DragonFire system on four ships by 2027 (I would assume Type 45 destroyers that have had their PIP refit). This is part of a "downpayment" for the pledge to reach 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027.

Britain to fit laser weapons on four warships by 2027

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed an additional £2.2 billion in defence funding for the next financial year, describing the measure as a “downpayment” on the Government’s plan to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

Babcock awarded contract to add upgrades to Type 31 frigates | Navy Lookout

www.navylookout.com

Babcock have been awarded a contract for a Capability Insertion Period for the Type 31 frigates. No specifics have been given as to what is included in the CIP, but it's assumed to include the fitting of the Mk41 launchers. Note that the CIP only covers the cost of the works, the actual equipment is paid for separately by the Royal Navy.

 

[OldNavy63]

HMS Prince of Wales departed Portsmouth 22 Apr 2025, commencing it’s eight month deployment as centrepiece of Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG 25). The deployment will include exercises in the Mediterranean Sea, through the Red Sea into the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, including participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 off Queensland in July.

CSG 25 includes Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond, Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, Norwegian FFG HNoMS Roald Amundsen, Spanish FFG ESPS Mendez Nunez and Canadian Halifax class frigate HCMS Ville de Quebec. An Astute class SSN will also be supporting the deployment. Logistics support vessels will include HNoMS Maud and RFA Tidespring.

Other Allied naval units will be attached to CSG 25 along the route.

The carrier will initially operate 18 x F-35B Lightning, 9 x Merlin and 2 x Wildcats, in addition to various UAVs - the largest air group embarked on a RN carrier since HMS Ark Royal (IV) in 1978.

The Carrier Strike Group sails – what it takes to prepare for global deployment | Navy Lookout

www.navylookout.com

 

[swerve]

HMS Richmond with her brand new NSM.

 

[downunderblue]

HMS Prince of Wales departed Portsmouth 22 Apr 2025, commencing it’s eight month deployment as centrepiece of Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG 25). The deployment will include exercises in the Mediterranean Sea, through the Red Sea into the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, including participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 off Queensland in July.

CSG 25 includes Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond, Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, Norwegian FFG HNoMS Roald Amundsen, Spanish FFG ESPS Mendez Nunez and Canadian Halifax class frigate HCMS Ville de Quebec. An Astute class SSN will also be supporting the deployment. Logistics support vessels will include HNoMS Maud and RFA Tidespring.

Other Allied naval units will be attached to CSG 25 along the route.

The carrier will initially operate 18 x F-35B Lightning, 9 x Merlin and 2 x Wildcats, in addition to various UAVs - the largest air group embarked on a RN carrier since HMS Ark Royal (IV) in 1978.

The Carrier Strike Group sails – what it takes to prepare for global deployment | Navy Lookout

www.navylookout.com

Impressive TF and you can see why RN is seeking as much press as possible.

I wonder how the F-104, Fridtjof Nansen and the Type 45 will match up and compliment each other in the AAW role.

I also assume there will be a lot of valuable blue vs red training on their way down to the Indo Pacific. It should be a good test for all of the ships and impressive to see them assembled and acting as one.

Seeing pics of it sailing off reminds me of 1982 and makes me wonder if it will ever see conflict. Can anyone here imagine a similar TF being sent to combat a PLA move on Taiwan? That'll likely depend first on what the US does, who the US President is and what scenario they are confronted with. That an a French carrier/ escorts could pack some punch.