Streeting urged to turbocharge plans for ‘hybrid navy’ ships

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 12, 2026

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting is being urged to bypass competitive bidding and directly award contracts for the Royal Navy’s command vessels by adapting the Type 31 frigate design to speed up delivery of the hybrid navy fleet. This decision could impact the naval fleet’s readiness amid rising threats and influence the stability of Britain’s warship manufacturing sector, with Babcock favored but facing challenges due to prior project delays and losses.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting is facing calls to fast-track the procurement of command vessels for the United Kingdom’s planned “hybrid navy” by awarding contracts directly, rather than pursuing a traditional competitive tender. Proponents argue that this approach could accelerate delivery by up to a decade, boosting the Royal Navy’s readiness amid growing maritime threats, particularly from Russia.

The hybrid navy concept, a key element of the recent defence investment plan, envisions a fleet comprising six manned command ships that will coordinate a range of autonomous vessels. These unmanned platforms, identified as Types 91 through 94, are intended for roles including missile launching, underwater submarine hunting, and reconnaissance.

Despite the significance of the programme, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has yet to release detailed plans on how it will proceed with the construction of the command combat vessels (CCVs). Industry sources indicate urgency is mounting within the defence sector to avoid protracted delays associated with a competitive bidding process, which could hinder operational capability for years.

Instead of launching a fresh design competition involving major British warship builders such as BAE Systems and Babcock, insiders suggest that Streeting is being encouraged to consider adapting an existing platform for the command ship role. The Type 31 frigates, currently under construction by Babcock at the Rosyth dockyard in Fife, have been mentioned as a potential basis for the CCVs.

Choosing Babcock’s Type 31 design could offer cost advantages by leveraging an ongoing build programme, support thousands of jobs in the defence industrial base, and enable a smoother transition into the hybrid navy fleet. Reports place Babcock in a favorable position to secure a direct award, especially given the involvement of Sir Nick Hine—former Second Sea Lord and a principal advocate for the hybrid navy concept—who now leads Babcock’s maritime business.

However, awarding the contract directly to Babcock carries risks. The company has faced criticism for delays in the Type 31 programme and has recorded losses amounting to £330 million on the project. Meanwhile, BAE Systems remains a potential competitor, with the Type 26 frigate, constructed on the Clyde, proposed as an alternative candidate for the CCV role.

Neither Babcock nor BAE Systems has provided comment on the ongoing discussions. The MoD maintains that planning is underway, emphasizing that the CCV programme remains in the early design phase with “options for hull forms” still under examination, echoing previous ministerial statements.

As the hybrid navy initiative progresses, decisions on procurement strategy will likely have significant implications for the Royal Navy’s future operational capabilities and the health of Britain’s warship construction industry.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.