Two Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers sailing side-by-side in February 2010. The Royal Navy is planning to phase out the Type 45 in favor of the hybrid “Common Combat Vessel,” starting in the 2030s. (UK Ministry of Defence/LA(Phot) Ian Simpson)

Why the UK’s Royal Navy Is Swapping Out Destroyers for Drone Carriers

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The Royal Navy is envisioning a future in which naval drones dominate sea conflict, allowing the service to make the best use of its limited manpower.

Last week, the British Army’s senior-most officer unveiled a plan that could see its armored force supported by unmanned combat systems (UCS), including aerial and land-based drones. It is part of the British military’s shift towards a more agile and tech-enabled fighting force.

This shift to drones won’t be limited to the land or the air. The Royal Navy has already been undertaking a major doctrinal shift of its own, moving away from relying solely on large, expensive manned vessels to uncrewed platforms. The operational change is set to increase fleet mass, extend the combat reach of the Royal Navy, and aid in defending critical infrastructure.

As part of the plan, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced it is shelving its plans to purchase a number of Type 83 guided-missile destroyers, which were expected to replace the fleet’s six........

© The National Interest