UK admits Trident nuclear missile ‘anomaly’ caused test misfire, dismisses rocket booster reports

UK admits Trident nuclear missile ‘anomaly’ caused test misfire, dismisses rocket booster reports
UK admits Trident nuclear missile ‘anomaly’ caused test misfire, dismisses rocket booster reports

Despite a resolute defense of Trident by the UK MoD, the latest misfire will likely raise questions about the stability of the UK nuclear deterrent.

Norway, UK join forces to lead Maritime Capability Coalition for Ukraine, counter Russian threat

Norway, UK join forces to lead Maritime Capability Coalition for Ukraine, counter Russian threat
Norway, UK join forces to lead Maritime Capability Coalition for Ukraine, counter Russian threat

“This [coalition support] will be long term to help Ukraine transform its navy, making it more compatible with western allies, more interoperable with NATO, and bolstering security in the Black Sea,” said the UK Ministry of Defence.

Second depth gauge saved UK Vanguard nuclear sub diving dangerously low, defense minister says

Second depth gauge saved UK Vanguard nuclear sub diving dangerously low, defense minister says
Second depth gauge saved UK Vanguard nuclear sub diving dangerously low, defense minister says

James Heappey, UK armed forces minister, offered the latest comments about the incident that reportedly happened more than a year ago but has been shrouded in secrecy.

UK Royal Navy completes Mojave UAS flight and recovery from Prince of Wales aircraft carrier

UK Royal Navy completes Mojave UAS flight and recovery from Prince of Wales aircraft carrier
UK Royal Navy completes Mojave UAS flight and recovery from Prince of Wales aircraft carrier

“For the purpose of the test, direct line of sight was used, but in some future world operators would fly this just like a MQ-9 flies today, over satellite and remotely,” GA-ASI’s C. Mark Brinkley told Breaking Defense.

AUKUS nations test undersea unmanned tech in defense of critical infrastructure

AUKUS nations test undersea unmanned tech in defense of critical infrastructure
AUKUS nations test undersea unmanned tech in defense of critical infrastructure

The exercise between the US, UK and Australia comes just weeks after a trio of European nations said their respective subsea infrastructure had been damaged.

UK naval chief on threats to undersea infrastructure: ‘We don’t fully understand’ solutions

UK naval chief on threats to undersea infrastructure: ‘We don’t fully understand’ solutions
UK naval chief on threats to undersea infrastructure: ‘We don’t fully understand’ solutions

Adm. Ben Key, First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy, made his comments hours after Sweden stated that an undersea telecommunications cable between Sweden and Estonia had been damaged.

UK signs off on $4.9B AUKUS submarine design phase contracts with industry trio

UK signs off on $4.9B AUKUS submarine design phase contracts with industry trio
UK signs off on $4.9B AUKUS submarine design phase contracts with industry trio

“The aim is to deliver the first UK submarines into service in the late 2030s to replace the current Astute-Class vessels, and the first Australian submarines will follow in the early 2040s,” said the UK Ministry of Defence.

HII, Babcock announce ‘strategic partnership’ on nuclear decoms, construction

HII, Babcock announce ‘strategic partnership’ on nuclear decoms, construction
HII, Babcock announce ‘strategic partnership’ on nuclear decoms, construction

The announcement with UK firm Babcock comes at a time when the US is preparing to start disposing of older nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

UK denies it’s in talks with Turkey over submarine construction, despite Erdogan comments

UK denies it’s in talks with Turkey over submarine construction, despite Erdogan comments
UK denies it’s in talks with Turkey over submarine construction, despite Erdogan comments

A spokesperson for the Royal Navy told Breaking Defense in a Wednesday statement that “no one knows anything of these [Turkish] discussions,” including teams from the UK’s Submarine Delivery Agency, Defence Nuclear Organisation and shipbuilder BAE Systems.  

UK tests 7 uncrewed systems for Heavy Lift Challenge future capabilities program

UK tests 7 uncrewed systems for Heavy Lift Challenge future capabilities program
UK tests 7 uncrewed systems for Heavy Lift Challenge future capabilities program

UASHLC has been designed to explore future uncrewed maritime concepts, including assessment of ship-to-ship (intra-theater) and ship-to-shore (inter-theater) beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) resupply operations, potentially covering uncrewed delivery of humanitarian aid items, ammunition and spare parts.

UK Royal Navy ‘confident’ a starboard propeller problem on aircraft carrier not a class-wide issue

UK Royal Navy ‘confident’ a starboard propeller problem on aircraft carrier not a class-wide issue
UK Royal Navy ‘confident’ a starboard propeller problem on aircraft carrier not a class-wide issue

Once the repairs conclude, the 72,000-ton ship will return to base in Portsmouth to undergo planned maintenance and “re-join operations” in fall 2023, a UK defense committee heard.

UK financial watchdog says military can’t afford its acquisition wish list

UK financial watchdog says military can’t afford its acquisition wish list
UK financial watchdog says military can’t afford its acquisition wish list

“While the Plan continues to serve a useful purpose in reporting to Parliament on planned expenditure, the volatile external environment means this year’s Plan is already out of date,” said the NAO.

UK drops funding of future Type 32 Frigate and Multirole Support Ships, for now

UK drops funding of future Type 32 Frigate and Multirole Support Ships, for now
UK drops funding of future Type 32 Frigate and Multirole Support Ships, for now

“In July 2022 Navy Command withdrew its plans for Type 32 frigates and MRSS because of concerns about unaffordability,” said the UK’s National Audit Office. “The revised
costing profile is likely to be significantly higher.”

UK spending spree boosts Royal Navy frigate and support ship fleets

UK spending spree boosts Royal Navy frigate and support ship fleets
UK spending spree boosts Royal Navy frigate and support ship fleets

“Construction of all eight frigates is expected to be completed by the mid-2030s, with the first, HMS Glasgow, entering service by the end of 2028,” state the UK MoD.