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The UK’s new National Armaments Director (NAD), Rupert Pearce, used a speech at Thales UK’s technology summit to argue that Britain’s armed forces need a new mix of crewed and uncrewed capabilities across every domain. He also issued a stark warning on the shrinking timeline to a possible conflict and argued for greater collaboration between […] The post UK National Armaments Director warns of ‘grave risk’ of war by 2030 first appeared on Navy Lookout.

Thales has completed wet testing of its Sonar 76Nano flank panels on a full-size uncrewed underwater vehicle in UK waters, using hardware built to the standard it intends to manufacture. Further details emerged at the Thales UK Technology Summit in London, where the company set out how far the sonar and its companion optronics mast […] The post Thales miniaturised sonar system tested at sea on an uncrewed submarine first appeared on Navy Lookout.

Two years after a Merlin HC Mk 4 flying from HMS Queen Elizabeth ditched in the sea off Dorset, killing Lt Rhodri Leyshon, the board of enquiry report has finally been published. The inquiry found that a fractured engine component triggered an emergency that the crew misdiagnosed, after which two serviceable engines were shut down, […] The post Failed engine component and an ambiguous warning caused fatal Royal Navy Merlin helicopter ditching first appeared on Navy Lookout.

Russia has revived plans for a large destroyer-sized surface combatant intended for sustained operations in the world’s oceans. The ambition is considerable, but Moscow’s shipbuilding record, wartime priorities and economic position make delivery far less certain. Grand designs In late July 2026, the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, confirmed that Russia intends […] The post Russia plans new 9,500-tonne destroyer despite shipbuilding struggles first appeared on Navy Lookout.

The Defence Investment Plan promised new munitions for the RN’s Type 31 frigates but says remarkably little about what will actually be bought. Behind that brief outline is a more complicated story involving ammunition already on contract, growing European demand and the possibility that guided 57mm rounds could eventually transform the effectiveness of the gun […] The post Royal Navy buying advanced gun ammunition for Type 31 frigates first appeared on Navy Lookout.