kwaigonegin
Colonel
Ops room. HMS QE ll
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Lethe
Captain
A few observations:
This is a relatively minor increase to be sure, but the abbreviated timescale for that increase brings it within the purview of the current government, requiring immediate budgetary trade-offs. Anyone can announce vague ambitions to be realised under some future government and such talk without action is a regular feature of Anglosphere governance. This is different.
Again acknowledging the relatively minor nature of this increase and its prospective returns, it is nonetheless the first concrete modification to defence planning from a European government that I have read about. If other European governments have indeed announced concrete measures in response to Trump's recent bloviations, I'd love to read about them. In any case, that the UK appears to be leading in this regard fits with its record as being amongst the least pathetic of European governments.
Lastly, despite Starmer's attempt to frame this as a consequence of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, this is clearly a direct consequence of Donald Trump's recent words and actions, which validates the basic American complaint that Europe has been "mooching" off Washington's security guarantees for generations now. I've never had a great deal of sympathy for American whining in this regard, because it is the inevitable consequence of the hegemony that Washington so dearly wishes to preserve (conversely, a more militarised Europe is a more independent and less pliant Europe), but it is nonetheless true in narrow terms.
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Wrong thread.
UK's next gen type 83 destroyer enters the concept stage.
“The Type 83 Destroyer will be the core of the Future Air Dominance System (FADS) programme, which has commenced its concept phase. FADS will replace the UK’s present Maritime Air Defence Capability vested in the Type 45 Destroyer Programme.”
The update signals the formal start of project planning for the UK’s next major air and missile defence warship, which will take over from the Type 45s in the mid-to-late 2030s.
A previous MoD update described the FADS programme, including Type 83, as:
“A transformative multi-domain programme that will provide Integrated Air and Missile Defence against the toughest of threats in the air domain, and strike against the hardest of targets in air, land, and maritime domains.”
Industry engagement has already begun, with the MoD holding a Market Engagement Event (MEE) in December 2024 to gather input from defence contractors on the project’s direction.
According to the MoD’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) team, the engagement was designed to:
“Gain a greater understanding of the marketplace capabilities, capacity, and skills regarding the potential requirement(s); understand where industry sees challenges and opportunities in relation to the potential requirement(s).”
A further session may be held in early 2025 as the Royal Navy refines its requirements.
A concept image that surfaced in 2023, though unofficial, hinted at a vessel larger than the Type 45, potentially closer in size to the US Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyers or China’s Type 055 destroyers. While exact specifications remain unclear, it is widely expected that the Type 83 will feature:
Given the extended timelines involved in ship design and procurement, it remains uncertain how many Type 83 destroyers will be built or whether the Royal Navy will receive a one-for-one replacement of its six Type 45s.
The government has previously indicated that the Strategic Defence Review will determine the final force structure, with decisions on fleet size and capabilities expected later this decade.
As the UK’s largest and most advanced future surface combatant, the Type 83 will define the Royal Navy’s air defence capabilities for the second half of the 21st century.
The UK’s next-generation Type 83 destroyer has officially entered the concept phase, with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) again confirming that the class will be the core of the Future Air Dominance System (FADS), replacing the current Type 45 destroyers in Royal Navy service.
Responding to a parliamentary question from Mark Francois MP, Minister of State for Defence Maria Eagle provided the first official update on the Type 83 programme’s status, confirming:“The Type 83 Destroyer will be the core of the Future Air Dominance System (FADS) programme, which has commenced its concept phase. FADS will replace the UK’s present Maritime Air Defence Capability vested in the Type 45 Destroyer Programme.”
The update signals the formal start of project planning for the UK’s next major air and missile defence warship, which will take over from the Type 45s in the mid-to-late 2030s.
What We Know About the Type 83 Destroyer
While still in the early concept phase, the Type 83 is expected to be a significantly larger and more capable platform than its predecessor, equipped to counter advanced missile threats, including hypersonic weapons.A previous MoD update described the FADS programme, including Type 83, as:
“A transformative multi-domain programme that will provide Integrated Air and Missile Defence against the toughest of threats in the air domain, and strike against the hardest of targets in air, land, and maritime domains.”
Industry engagement has already begun, with the MoD holding a Market Engagement Event (MEE) in December 2024 to gather input from defence contractors on the project’s direction.
According to the MoD’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) team, the engagement was designed to:
“Gain a greater understanding of the marketplace capabilities, capacity, and skills regarding the potential requirement(s); understand where industry sees challenges and opportunities in relation to the potential requirement(s).”
A further session may be held in early 2025 as the Royal Navy refines its requirements.
A Successor to the Type 45 Destroyer
The Type 45 destroyers, which currently serve as the Royal Navy’s primary air defence warships, will be phased out in favour of the Type 83s.A concept image that surfaced in 2023, though unofficial, hinted at a vessel larger than the Type 45, potentially closer in size to the US Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyers or China’s Type 055 destroyers. While exact specifications remain unclear, it is widely expected that the Type 83 will feature:
- Advanced radar and sensor systems, potentially including next-generation phased array radars.
- Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) capability, optimised to defend against ballistic and hypersonic missile threats.
- A significant missile payload, likely utilising Mk 41 vertical launch systems (VLS) to house a combination of air defence, land attack, and anti-ship missiles.
- A future-proofed power generation system, capable of supporting directed energy weapons (lasers) and railgun technology.
When Will the Type 83 Enter Service?
The first Type 83 destroyer is expected to enter service in the latter half of the 2030s, with a potential Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in the late 2030s or early 2040s.Given the extended timelines involved in ship design and procurement, it remains uncertain how many Type 83 destroyers will be built or whether the Royal Navy will receive a one-for-one replacement of its six Type 45s.
The government has previously indicated that the Strategic Defence Review will determine the final force structure, with decisions on fleet size and capabilities expected later this decade.
Next Steps
With the concept phase now officially underway, the next major milestone for the Type 83 programme will be the selection of key design partners and initial capability requirements, leading to a main procurement contract.As the UK’s largest and most advanced future surface combatant, the Type 83 will define the Royal Navy’s air defence capabilities for the second half of the 21st century.