Mysterious new Type 83 destroyers programme for Royal Navy could be 'scrapped or delayed' due to costs, report

An expansive project to build new warships could fall to the wayside due to costs, reports say.

The Daily Telegraph reports that plans to construct Type 83 destroyers could be “scrapped or delayed”. They are intended to replace the current Portsmouth-based Type 45 variants, which have retirement dates of between 2035 and 2038. The Type 83 project is still in the design phase, though they are reported to be evolutions of the Type 45s.

Funding is believed to be the cause of the problem, the national publication said. The Telegraph reports that an ongoing row is taking place between the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury over costing for various projects, which has resulted in the length delays to the Defence Investment Plan.

Colloquially known as the DIP, the legislation aims to set out the funding parameters for reforms set out in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) last year. Among the accepted recommendations was the need for the Royal Navy to move towards a hybrid force, comprising of advanced conventional warships and autonomous vessels and drones.

Part of this is establishing a hybrid carrier air wing, the first in Europe. Defence secretary John Healey previously said this would involve building dreadnought and Aukus submarines, as well as cutting-edge warships and new autonomous vessels.

The last official statement regarding the Type 83 programme came earlier this year. Minister for defence readiness and industry, Luke Pollard, said the scheme was “under review”, adding that its approval was subject to the DIP.

The current crop of Type 45 destroyers have been hit with problems to their engines. All of the six Daring-class vessels will undergo Power Improvement Project (PIP) enhancements to resolve in a design flaw in the Rolls-Royce WR-21 gas turbine intercooler unit. This caused propulsion issues. One of the vessels, HMS Daring, has not been to sea for more than 3,000 days.

The fear is by the time the current crop of destroyers are aging out, new capabilities for the Royal Navy won’t be ready. This is currently hitting the frigate force, as the upcoming Type 26s and 31s are still years away from replacing the aging fleet of Type 23s.

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The Daily Telegraph reports that other programmes could also be cut, including the production of a new generation of fighter aircraft and the purchase of F-35A jets - capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Sources told the national publication that the Type 83 programme could be shelved to make way for other priorities, including the major expansion of the UK’s drone capability.

The Treasury has reportedly tried to cut down the cost of the DIP, arguing that Britain cannot afford more borrowing or widespread cuts across other Whitehall departments. While the government has previously committed to raising defence spending to 2.6 per cent of GDP by 2027, and 3.5 per cent of core spending by 2035, the MoD is believed to be facing an £18bn shortfall.

Defence secretary John Healey previously said the DIP will be published by July 7, ahead of the Nato summit in Ankara, Turkey. An MoD spokesman said: “The Defence Investment Plan will deliver the best equipment and technology into the hands of our frontline forces at speed, while investing in and growing the UK economy. We are working across government to finalise the plan and as the Defence Secretary said last week, the Prime Minister is determined to publish it before the Nato summit.”