The United Kingdom is reaffirming its commitment to bolstering its naval capabilities with the announcement of plans to build up to six new warships for the Royal Marines. This decision comes as part of a broader effort to allocate resources following a significant increase in defence spending.
Defence Minister Grant Shapps confirmed the government’s intention to invest in Multi Role Support Ships, which will be constructed domestically. These vessels are expected to enhance the Royal Marines’ amphibious special operations capabilities, preparing them for future combat scenarios.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement in April outlined a commitment to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030, citing a need for the British arms industry to be prepared for global challenges reminiscent of the Cold War era.
Shapps emphasized the importance of this investment, attributing it to the government’s pledge to support defence initiatives. He also assured that existing Royal Marine assault ships, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, will remain operational until their planned retirement dates in the early 2030s.
The decision to build these new vessels underscores a broader strategy aimed at revitalizing British shipbuilding. Shapps described the initiative as heralding “a new Golden Age for British shipbuilding,” with companies like BAE Systems and Babcock playing integral roles in the construction process.
As the UK moves forward with these plans, it demonstrates a proactive approach to strengthening its naval capabilities and adapting to evolving security challenges in the modern era.