Royal Navy – Page 6 – The Defense Post

Apr- 2025 -

4 April

Europe

HMS Albion, a Landing Platform Dock (LPD), is shown operating near the coast of Norway as part of Exercise Hairspring in 2008.

Rojoef Manuel

UK Signs Agreement to Transfer Albion Amphibious Warfare Vessels to Brazil

The UK has signed an agreement to pursue the transfer of its Albion-class landing platform docks to the Brazilian Navy.

3 April

Air

A Merlin helicopter from 820 Naval Air Squadron loaded and fired flares from HMS Prince of Wales, while embarked for Exercise Steadfast Defender. Flares are one element of the Defensive Aid Suite (DAS). The flares make up one portion of the DAS system, they are specifically designed to defeat Infra-Red seeking missiles (MANPADS). The aircraft carrier is taking part in Exercise Steadfast Defender. Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER 2024 will be the largest NATO exercise in decades. NATO forces will be exercising across multiple regions and in multiple domains (maritime, land, air, space, and cyber). The vast scale of this exercise will occur over several months and over thousands of kilometres and will involve tens-of-thousands of Allied troops, all showcasing NATO capabilities to deter adversaries and defend allied territory.

Rojoef Manuel

Leonardo to Continue Upkeep for UK Navy Merlin Helicopters

The UK has contracted Leonardo to extend the fleet-wide integrated support for the Royal Navy’s Merlin helicopters.

Mar- 2025 -

28 March

Europe

Joe Saballa

UK to Expand DragonFire Laser Weapon Deployment by 2027

The UK has expanded its DragonFire laser weapon deployment plan for 2027, increasing the number of warships set to receive the system from one to four.

24 March

Europe

Artists impression of the new DREADNOUGHT CLASS. The Dreadnought class of ballistic submarines for the Royal Navy is now being built. Successor was the name for the programme of delivering these submarines for the Royal Navy until the first boat was named in October 2016. This is the enduring commitment of the Navy's dedication to continuous at sea deterrence (CASD) since April 1969.

Rojoef Manuel

BAE Systems Lays Keel of UK Navy’s Lead Dreadnought Nuclear Submarine

BAE Systems has laid the keel of the UK Royal Navy’s first Dreadnought-class nuclear submarine in Barrow-in-Furness, England.

18 March

Europe

A couple of unmanned surface vessels at sea

Christine Casimiro

British Navy Accepts First AI-Driven Autonomous Minehunter From Thales

The Royal Navy has taken delivery of its first of four end-to-end autonomous minehunting systems from Thales UK.

13 March

Arms

Inder Singh Bisht

UK’s Next-Gen Air Defense Destroyer Enters Concept Phase

The UK’s next-generation Type 83 destroyer has officially entered the concept phase, Minister of State for Defence Maria Eagle has revealed.

11 March

Arms

Christine Casimiro

Royal Marines From UK Commando Force Adopt Sig Sauer Rifles

The Royal Navy has issued over 1,500 Sig Sauer MCX rifles to the UK Commando Force with the Royal Marines.

7 March

Europe

The UK Royal Navy's Cetus Extra Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (XLAUV)

Rojoef Manuel

MSubs Launches First UK Navy XLAUV Drone Submarine in Plymouth

British unmanned systems manufacturer MSubs has launched the UK Royal Navy’s future Extra Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle at Turnchapel Wharf in Plymouth.

Feb- 2025 -

24 February

Air

Pictured: Peregrine Rotary Wing UAV, Schiebel S-100 Camcopter operating during REPMUS 22 REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation & Prototyping augmented by Maritime Unmanned Systems) is a Portuguese Maritime Operational Experimentation Exercise, which takes place annually. It was established as simply REP in 2004 and grown year on year. In 2014 NATO CMRE were invited to take part for the first time and then an invitation was issued in early 2019 for NATOs Maritime Unmanned Systems Initiative (MUSI) to take part, which they did later that year and again in 2021 and this year. (2020 did not occur because of the global pandemic) providing a significant boost to the scope and scale of REPMUS. REPMUS is a testing ground designed to allow a large-scale experimentation where NATO navies can collaborate with each other and with Academia and Industry to develop and test unmanned system capabilities, to build interoperability & interchangeability and to develop operational concepts, tactics, techniques and procedures.

Rojoef Manuel

UK Navy Peregrine Helicopter Drone Conducts First Operation in Middle East

The Royal Navy has used its S-100 Peregrine rotary-wing unmanned aerial system for the first time in the Middle East.

13 February

Business

Inder Singh Bisht

Royal Navy’s Next-Gen Electronic Warfare System Enters Final Test Phase

The first unit of the Royal Navy’s next-generation electronic warfare system has rolled off the production line and is undergoing final tests and upgrades.

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