Q&A · 48:33-49:38

An ideal Royal Navy sketch built around escort groups

A viewer question prompts a compact force-structure sketch of LHDs, escort groups, RFAs, and large uncrewed surface vessels.

Question

What would your ideal Royal Navy look like force-wise?

Short answer

Three LHDs, seven escort groups, RFAs, and large uncrewed surface vessels would support a larger destroyer and frigate force.

Notes

The proposed force begins with three LHDs able to operate F-35Bs and roughly seven escort groups. Each group would have about two destroyers and three frigates, supported by large uncrewed surface vessels. The initial estimate of a dozen uncrewed vessels rises toward twenty-one during the sketch, so these figures are approximate. Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships would sustain the force and would also have uncrewed support vessels. Large uncrewed vessels are envisaged as successors to the smaller escort roles filled by sloops, escort destroyers, and frigates in World War II. Modern crewed destroyers and frigates would provide the larger combatants around which those escorts worked.