UK defence secretary promises “new hybrid navy”, cutting-edge military overhaul

Defence Secretary John Healey has outlined an ambitious vision for the future of the UK’s armed forces, pledging a transformative strategic defence review aimed at significantly enhancing military capability in response to rising global threats.

In a statement marking the government's early defence policy direction, Healey said, “The world is more dangerous,” underscoring the need for renewed investment in military readiness, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

He stressed that “war fighting readiness means stronger deterrence,” and added, “We need stronger deterrence to avoid the huge costs human and economic that wars create, and we prevent wars by being strong enough to fight and win them.”

A central tenet of the strategy is the creation of what Healey described as a “new hybrid navy”, which will include the construction of advanced attack submarines, cutting-edge warships, and the integration of new autonomous maritime vessels.

In the air domain, Healey promised the development of a “new generation RAF,” which will involve the expansion of the F-35 stealth fighter fleet and comprehensive upgrades to the Typhoon aircraft, enhancing air superiority and strike capabilities.

However, the most striking element of the defence secretary’s announcement concerned the future of the British Army. Healey declared that the Ministry of Defence will make the army “10 times more lethal by combining future technology of drones, autonomy and AI with the heavy metal of tanks and artillery.” This marks a clear shift toward a highly digitised, tech-integrated ground force capable of rapid deployment and multidomain operations.

Healey says the government has already shown it is committed to delivering on defence.

The world is more dangerous, he says.

War fighting readiness means stronger deterrence. We need stronger deterrence to avoid the huge costs human and economic that wars create, and we prevent wars by being strong enough to fight and win them.

He says the government will create a “new hybrid navy” by building new attack submarines, cutting-edge warships and new autonomous vessels.

There will be a new generation RAF, including F-35s and upgraded Typhoons.

And he says the MoD will make the army “10 times more lethal by combining future technology of drones, autonomy and AI with the heavy metal of tanks and artillery”.

By Vafa Guliyeva