'Too complex' multi-role strike ships axed alongside 'unaffordable' new Type 83 and 32 vessels for Royal Navy
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The first of the ships was due to be put to sea in 2033, but these have now been cut in favour of an alternative
New Multi-Role Strike Ships will not be coming to the Royal Navy after they were scrapped in favour of an alternative.
The Defence Investment Plan (Dip) confirmed that the vessels, due to place the Landing Platform Docks HMS Bulwark and Albion, have been shelved. The report said: “The Multi-Role Strike Ship (MRSS) programme was too complex and did not reflect the UK Commando Force we are now pursuing.
“Therefore, we are pivoting to explore opportunities for the UK with the Netherlands led Amphibious Transport Ship Programme.”
The crewed vessels were due to be fitted with a combat system, self-defence, and offensive capabilities. They were still in the concept phase. Their aim was to bolster the amphibious fleet for operations involving Royal Marines Commandos.
Former defence secretary John Healey announced the retirement of HMS Bulwark and Albion in November 2024, stating they were superficially kept on the books at the cost of £9m a year, and would not go to sea before their decommissioning date. Millions of pounds had already been invested in refits from the previous Conservative government.
New amphibious transport ships will be procured as an alternative to the Multi-Role Strike Ships. The UK is aiming to create a combined fleet with The Netherlands. The Dip said “an initial investment into new amphibious shipping” will be made in an effort to support the Commando Force.
The Netherlands is already building towards six Amphibious Transport ships, aimed at replacing their two Rotterdam-class landing platform docks and four Holland-class patrol vessels. Delivery of the ships are planned from 2032.
Defence secretary Dan Jarvis previously said: “Our elite Commando Force is respected around the world, conducting operations that help to keep the nation and our allies safe. We’re investing in new lethal strike drones, high-speed boats and amphibious transport ships to give our Commandos the equipment they need to stay ahead of adversaries and defend us.
“The Defence Investment Plan will prioritise getting the latest kit into the hands of our frontline forces, so they can continue their vital work in an increasingly dangerous world.”
More than £500m has been committed to the transformation of the Commando Force. Personnel are trained to be a part of the rapid reaction force and deploy anywhere in the world at short notice. They can seamlessly go from operating in the Arctic to the Middle East.
Alongside the amphibious ships, they’ll be equipped with new high-speed Joint Commando Craft (JCC). These can be used to seize Russian shadow fleet tankers and be utilised in other maritime security operations. Nearly £100m has been set aside for new transformative technologies, including un-crewed vessels, new communications systems, and networked targeting and strike drones.
Other concept ships scrapped in the Dip include Type 83 destroyers and Type 32 frigates. The report said: “We inherited a plan which was based on small numbers of large, crewed platforms with insufficient investment in autonomous vessels. It was both unaffordable and not what the modern threat demands.
“The Hybrid Navy approach will replace both the Type 83 and Type 32 concepts with a Hybrid Fleet of uncrewed and crewed vessels. This is a major transformation, driven by the Royal Navy in collaboration with the NAD Group.”