LONDON, June 29 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* The Royal Navy willprocureat leastsix Common Combat Vessels,as part of the system that will replacethe current Type 45 destroyers. * This Common Combat Vesselwill be the Royal Navy's first 'Hybrid' warship, coordinating uncrewed systems in the air, on the surface and under the sea to deliver more resilient air defence. * The programme will sustain jobs and skills across UK shipyards, withthe ship'sadaptabledesign opening further opportunities for British industry and export partners.

At least six new warships will be built for the Royal Navyunderthe Defence Investment Plan, delivering the UK's most advanced maritime air defence capability and keeping British shipyards working for decades to come.

The Common Combat Vessel will replace the current fleet of six Type 45 destroyers,with delivery expected from the early 2030s. Unlike its predecessors, thenew warshipwill act as a control hub for uncrewed systems-extending the Navy's reach,resilienceand firepower without a proportional increase in crew or cost.

Due to be outlined in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan, these new ships willreplace earlier plans for a Type 83 destroyer. Rather than concentrating capability in a small number of large, expensive ships, the Royal Navy's shift to a hybridnavy willmix crewed and uncrewed capabilities and bemoresuited to the pace and nature of modern warfare.The funding announced in the DIP allows the National Armaments Director Group to commence the design work that will underpin the fundamental shift in how to deliver Air Defence at and from the sea.

When in service, these CCVswillworkalongside eight Type 26 and five Type 31crewedfrigates,as well as Type 91 uncrewed missile platforms, Type 92 uncrewed underwater sensing platforms, Type 93 Extra-Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles and Type94uncrewed sensor platforms,representing aonce in a generation investment in newmaritime capability.

It willalsosustain and grow the UK's shipbuilding sector, providing new work for British shipyardsandmaintainingvital skills. Itdemonstratesdefence as an engine for growth andprogrammes funded through the Defence Investment Plan are expected to back tens of thousands of new UK jobs.

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MBE MP said:

Our Royal Navy is a formidable force, operating to protect our nation and our allies in the Atlantic and beyond. These Common Combat Vessels will provide our dedicated sailors with hybrid ships that are designed and built for the increasing threats we face.

Developed with exceptional British innovators, the new ships will be British-built, supporting jobs across the nation and giving the Royal Navy a capability built for modern warfare.

The programme will also anchor three new Atlantic programmes-Atlantic Bastion, Atlantic Shield and Atlantic Strike-designed to counter Russian activity in the North Atlantic and High North, protect critical underwater infrastructure, and enhance NATO deterrence.

TheCCV'sadaptabledesign creates opportunities across the UK defence industry and positions the platform forglobalexportpotential.The Type 26 frigate, already selected by Australia, Canada, and Norway,demonstratesstrong international appetite for British-built warships.

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