The British Secretary of Defence delivered a speech on the future of his country's Armed Forces on 28 June. The Minister discussed the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine; he emphasized the evolving and real threats faced by the UK and its allies, including the use of new technologies and tactics witnessed in Ukraine.
Royal Navy aims to design the Type 83 destroyer as a critical component for the Royal Navy's Future Air Dominance System. The Type 83 will replace the existing Type 45 destroyers, embodying a transformation towards a network-centric naval strategy heavily reliant on sensors.
A distinguishing feature of Type 83 is its extensive use of automation. This technology decreases the crew size, potentially increasing the ship's operational efficiency and response speed.
Its armament is planned to mix traditional missile systems and emergent Directed Energy Weapons, crafted to respond to evolving threats in the maritime theatre.
The Type 83 is also projected to incorporate uncrewed systems, which provide additional surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike capabilities, possibly expanding the ship's operational reach while mitigating risks to the crew.
Further, the ship is designed to include advanced radar sensing capabilities, potentially offering an extended detection range. This attribute enables the Type 83 to provide more effective protection for a fleet, improving airspace control and supporting the UK's maritime freedom of movement.
