The UK Ministry of Defence had previously announced a shift to a hybrid fleet of crewed command ships and uncrewed platforms under the Defence Investment Plan, replacing the Type 83 destroyer and Type 32 frigate programmes with six Common Combat Vessels and a family of uncrewed platforms (Types 91-94). In a new development, the MOD has now committed at least £1.5 billion over four years to deliver the Hybrid Navy, with a prototype uncrewed missile platform (Type 91) and extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles (Type 93) aiming to enter Royal Navy service by 2030. The funding is higher than the previously referenced £1 billion, and the breakdown between vessel types will be determined in consultation with industry. Payloads for the underwater vehicles will be developed through AUKUS Pillar 2. The 2030 milestone provides the first firm near-term marker for the hybrid fleet, ahead of the six Common Combat Vessels intended to replace Type 45 destroyers from the mid-2030s. Industry is already progressing, with the MOD seeking missile silos capable of 30 days unattended operation and Navantia UK stating its Appledore yard could build two large autonomous vessels per year.

Background: The UK Defence Investment Plan previously replaced the Type 83 destroyer and Type 32 frigate programmes with six Common Combat Vessels and a family of uncrewed platforms (Types 91-94). New development: On 10 July, the MoD formally cancelled the Type 83 destroyer programme, confirming in parliamentary answers that classified analysis concluded a hybrid fleet of six crewed Common Combat Vessels and uncrewed Type 91 (missile) and Type 94 (sensor) platforms would deliver greater missile capacity and fleet mass at lower cost. The decision leaves open the possibility of extending the Type 45 destroyers' service life, with a final decision on life extension deferred to 2027-28 pending transition planning with industry. The MoD stated that no build decisions had been made for the Type 83, and that Scottish shipyards will instead benefit from ongoing Type 26 and Type 31 frigate construction and potential work on the new uncrewed vessels, though build locations for the Type 9x platforms have not been announced.

The UK Ministry of Defence has stated that Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) will play a key role in integrated air and missile defence (IAMD) through the 2030s, augmenting Typhoon and F-35 fighters. The announcement, in a parliamentary answer, links the CCA program to homeland defence missions, adding a new role to the drones beyond loyal wingman tasks. The £790 million IAMD investment aims to enhance command, control, and sensing to counter mass drone and cruise missile threats.