Navy Lookout

Should HMS Queen Elizabeth be deployed to the Red Sea region?

NavyLookout — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 11:35:58 +0000

In this piece, we consider the arguments for sending the UK Carrier Strike Group to join in action to protect merchant shipping from the threat of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Backdrop There were 24 recorded attacks emanating from Yemen on international merchant shipping between November 19 and January 2nd. The UK government has […]

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A year in review – The Royal Navy in 2023

NavyLookout — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 15:14:41 +0000

In this article we look back at the past year, summarising key events and the achievements of the Royal Navy while considering future challenges. Global events 2023 has been a difficult year for the RN in many ways although it has continued to deliver on operations and has been able to mount a limited response […]

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Hunting submarines with drones

NavyLookout — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 06:11:03 +0000

In this article, Kamil Sadowski considers how Medium Rotary-Wing Uncrewed Air Systems could be employed in anti-submarine warfare operations. Utilising RWUAS for anti-submarine warfare is an obvious path for navies, given their low cost compared to conventional means and their rapidly advancing capabilities mirror the growing underwater threat. There is an obvious symmetry between the […]

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Guns, missiles and drones – naval actions in the Red Sea

NavyLookout — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 17:56:40 +0000

HMS Diamond has now been formally allocated to US-led operation Prosperity Guardian which will protect merchant ships transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Here we look at the recent naval operations and consider the current situation in the region. Warships assemble Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) are based in Bahrain under the command of […]

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Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond shoots down drone while escorting merchant ships in the Red Sea

NavyLookout — Sat, 16 Dec 2023 11:17:26 +0000

HMS Diamond has shot down a suspected drone targeting merchant shipping in the Red Sea using a Sea Viper missile. Diamond transited the Suez Canal on 14 December, deployed in response to increasing attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea. Having only just arrived in theatre, the MoD announced today that last night she […]

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The Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 2023

NavyLookout — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 08:05:04 +0000

The ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are a vital part of the UK naval capability but the past year has been a story of very mixed fortunes for the service. Here we look at the current status of the fleet. Pay rise or bust While there is growing concern about declining personnel numbers in […]

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Trouble in the docks – fixing the infrastructure issues impacting Royal Navy submarine availability

NavyLookout — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 08:14:38 +0000

Here we focus on how delays in upgrading dockyard facilities have become one of the limiting factors preventing the RN from getting submarines to sea and look at the efforts to resolve the problem. Overview Despite having an active submarine fleet numbering just 10 boats, there are currently not enough dry docks available to carry […]

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Analysis: Royal Navy deploys seven ships on underwater infrastructure patrols

NavyLookout — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 12:45:30 +0000

In an announcement made this week, the MoD has said the RN will deploy a substantial force of vessels to patrol areas with vulnerable undersea critical infrastructure in cooperation with other nations. Here we look at the context of this action and what this may mean in practice On 28th November Defence Ministers from the […]

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HMS Diamond sent to the Gulf in response to rising tension in the Middle East

NavyLookout — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 07:03:43 +0000

HMS Diamond will join US warships deployed in the Persian Gulf region as the risk of conflict and the threat to merchant shipping increases. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has said “it’s critical the UK bolsters our presence in the region”. When Hamas attacked Israel on 7th October it reignited tensions in the Middle East that […]

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Adding firepower to the Type 26 Frigate

NavyLookout — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 07:57:44 +0000

BAE Systems recently unveiled a proposal to add additional VLS cells to the Hunter class frigates being built for the Royal Australian Navy. Here we examine the background to the requirement for more missiles and the potential opportunities for Type 26 customer nations. Up arming down under The Australian Defence Strategic Review (DSR) concluded that […]

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