A New Hybrid Navy
What the Strategic Defence Review means for the maritime
The long-awaited Strategic Defence Review is now out – but what does it mean for the Royal Navy?
It is heartening to see that HM Government recognises that maritime security is a top priority. The review gives the Royal Navy three main roles in today’s evolving security landscape. First, it must defend and strengthen the resilience of the United Kingdom (UK). Central to this is maintaining the Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD), which remains the foundation of national defence. Second, the Royal Navy plays a key role in deterring and defending in the Euro-Atlantic region, particularly through its contributions to NATO. Finally, the Royal Navy is tasked with shaping the broader global security environment. This involves using its capabilities where they can have the most strategic impact, such as in defence partnerships, military exports and training missions. Its effectiveness in this role is bolstered by both a permanent naval presence in key regions and regular deployments beyond Europe, underlining the UK's global commitments.
The review’s recommendations are many – and HM Government has accepted them all – but there are several core points that will shape the future of the Royal Navy into what the Secretary of State, John Healey, called ‘a new hybrid navy’.
Fleet structure
The Royal Navy is undergoing a major transformation to build a fleet that’s not only more capable but also more cost-effective and easier to operate. Central to this is a “high-low” mix of advanced and simpler systems, combining cutting-edge technologies with autonomous platforms and digitally integrated weapons. One priority is the evolution of carrier strike into a more flexible and future-ready capability. While the current carrier strike setup is already among the best in NATO, the next step is to develop ‘hybrid’ airwings. These would include crewed F-35B jets, autonomous support drones, expendable single-use drones and, eventually, long-range missiles that could be launched directly from the flight deck.
Beyond the carrier group, the Royal Navy is adapting to new ways of operating across the board. Anti-submarine warfare is advancing quickly through the integration of uncrewed systems underwater, on the surface, and in the air, working alongside crewed platforms like Type 26 frigates, P-8 patrol aircraft and attack submarines. Mine-hunting is also being modernised using autonomous systems. Future plans may even include turning the Type 45 destroyer into a minimally crewed or fully autonomous platform with next-generation capabilities like directed energy weapons.
To support this modern force, the Royal Navy needs a reliable logistics backbone. This includes rethinking the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), perhaps by partnering with commercial shipping or NATO allies in non-combat zones. The RFA’s role in supporting operations is essential for sustaining capabilities that are critical to national defence and this must be preserved, even as the Royal Navy evolves for the future.
Critical infrastructure
The Royal Navy is set to take on a much bigger role in protecting the UK’s critical undersea infrastructure and maritime traffic. To do this effectively, the Royal Navy will need to work closely with other parts of HM Government and with private companies to boost maritime surveillance using both current tools and emerging technologies.
More broadly, there’s a growing need to rethink how the UK protects its critical national infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence, along with other Government departments, will now be considering a new kind of agreement, referred to as a ‘new deal’, focused on working in partnership with private sector and allied stakeholders to secure these vital assets. As part of this shift, the Royal Navy will lead efforts to improve threat detection and response.
That includes building a stronger command-and-control system, the Global Decision Support System, initially focused on the Euro-Atlantic region. It also means using the Multi-Role Ocean Survey Ship and fleets of autonomous vessels to patrol and monitor key undersea assets. Finally, the Royal Navy will be asked to maintain collaborative systems that allow allies to track and respond to emerging threats together.
Atlantic Bastion
Atlantic Bastion is the Royal Navy’s strategy to secure the North Atlantic, a region that is becoming ever more contested due to the growing threat from modern Russian submarines. As one of Europe’s key anti-submarine warfare powers, the UK plays a central role in defending this critical area on behalf of NATO. With the alliance’s needs evolving, Atlantic Bastion represents a modern, layered approach to underwater security.
The plan brings together a network of sensors and systems that operate above, on and below the water’s surface, creating an integrated, multi-domain defence strategy. It’s a team effort, involving the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Strategic Command, the UK Hydrographic Office, NATO allies, and commercial partners. At its core is the new Type 26 frigate, a specialist anti-submarine warfare platform designed for flexibility, with mission bays that allow quick upgrades and future tech integration.
Alongside crewed ships, the Royal Navy will deploy a mix of uncrewed surface and underwater vehicles, creating a more agile and responsive force. These platforms will work together using AI-driven acoustic sensors and digital targeting systems, helping speed up decision-making across UK Defence and among allies. Atlantic Bastion aims to keep the North Atlantic secure, connected and ready for future threats.
Innovation and industry
To keep pace with modern threats and stay at the cutting edge, HM Government needs to create the right conditions for long-term innovation and industrial support for the Royal Navy. One key priority is maintaining a steady, reliable shipbuilding pipeline. This ‘always on’ approach would help preserve vital industry skills and avoid the delays and extra costs that come with keeping older ships running longer than planned.
Long-term funding deals, like those already in place for the SSN-AUKUS submarine programme, are essential. These multi-year or even multi-decade agreements can reduce risk, improve efficiency, and support the UK economy. Alongside this, the Royal Navy needs more flexible regulations to support innovation. For example, regulatory ‘sandboxes’ where new tech can be safely tested could help fast-track experimentation with autonomous systems.
As the global market for uncrewed and autonomous naval systems grows, the Royal Navy should work closely with commercial partners, private investors and other governments. One key project is building an integrated anti-submarine warfare force based on the Type 26 frigate, combining crewed ships with uncrewed and autonomous platforms. This could be a model for how to bring private finance into defence, boost UK exports and accelerate technological development through a modern industrial partnership.
The proof is in the pudding
This is just the beginning. The delivery of the review’s vision for the Royal Navy will depend on the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan, which will replace the Defence Equipment Plan. The specifics will thus have to wait until the autumn. However, this review represents a positive outlook for the Royal Navy, and one that we all hope will be followed through.
Dr Emma Salisbury is the Research Fellow at the Sea Power Laboratory at the Council on Geostrategy and an Associate Fellow at the Royal Navy Strategic Studies Centre.
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Well written, Dr. Emma. You have made several important points about the modernization of the Royal Navy in response to emerging hybrid threats, especially concerning underwater warfare capabilities. I'm interested to see how these advancements will enhance the Navy's ability to tackle asymmetric threats in underwater environments.