Great Britain intends to maintain its defensive capability, for which it needs new models of equipment and weapons. A number of projects have been opened and are being developed in all major areas, from combat aviation to the submarine fleet. In the foreseeable future, they should give real results, but so far, mainly, we are talking about works in the early stages. Consider how London plans to strengthen its army in the future. Moreover, not so long ago during the DSEI 2019 exhibition, he showed off his new developments.
Next generation plans
Perhaps the most ambitious plans are being implemented in the Tempest program. Within the framework of international cooperation, several companies, incl. British BAE Systems are going to create the next sixth generation fighter. Great Britain, Sweden, Italy and the company MBDA, representing several countries, are participating in the work. The emergence of new members is not excluded.
Ready fighter "Tempest" will appear only in the second half of the twenties. From the mid-thirties, serial equipment will enter the troops. In the meantime, the project participants show only a full-size model of the aircraft. How similar it will be to a real fighter is unknown.
For many years to come, before the production of the Tempest, the British Air Force will be forced to use other fighters. The Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft may remain the basis of the fleet. Mass delivery of American F-35s in two versions is also expected.
Armored upgrade
The Ground Forces plan to upgrade the Challenger 2 main battle tanks, but have not yet decided on a specific project on which it will be carried out. There are already several proposals, and in September another one appeared. This project was proposed by the German-British joint venture Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL).
RBSL's Challenger 2LEP project envisages replacing the turret with a new German-developed unit equipped with a 120mm Rheinmetall smoothbore cannon. The fire control system and communications are also being completely rebuilt. Maximum unification with other NATO tanks in terms of ammunition is ensured. The engine has been replaced. The new MTU engine has a power of 1,500 hp. against 1200 hp at the staff.
This is not the first Challenger 2 modernization project proposed recently. Its real prospects remain uncertain. The British Army has not yet decided which of the projects will be accepted for implementation and will ensure the renewal of the tank fleet.
In parallel with the modernization of the Challenger 2 MBT, the construction of new vehicles of the Ajax family will be carried out. There is already a small-scale production of such equipment, and the army receives the first samples. In the coming years, the delivery of the first batches of such equipment and the completion of the retraining of personnel are expected. After that, Ajax in the configuration of BMP and APC will be able to start a full service.
The appearance of serial Warrior infantry fighting vehicles, which have undergone modernization under the Warrior Capability Sustainment Program (WCSP) project from Lockheed Martin, is expected. A similar prototype was present at DSEI 2019, which passed a number of necessary tests and showed its capabilities. The emergence of the WCSP program is due to the impossibility of quickly building the desired number of Ajax: the modernized armored vehicles will have to complement the equipment of the new construction.
The WCSP project proposes the installation of additional armor on all projections and other measures to increase protection. The onboard electronics complex is being radically rebuilt, including the OMS and surveillance systems. The standard 30 mm cannon is replaced by a 40 mm telescopic gun. In terms of armament and parts of the equipment, WCSP is unified with Ajax.
By the end of the year, Lockheed Martin must complete the current stage of work and transfer the final package of documents to the customer. After that, the issue of adopting and launching serial modernization of equipment will be decided.
The future of the submarine fleet
The most interesting promising project for the Royal Navy is the creation of a strategic submarine missile carrier of the Dreadnought type. Such SSBNs in the future will have to replace the existing ships pr. Vanguard. Four units are planned and two are already under construction at BAE Systems' factories. The lead submarine is planned to be taken into service no earlier than 2028.
The submarines with a displacement of 17,200 tons and a length of 153 meters will be the largest in the history of the KVMF. They will be equipped with a unified CMC missile compartment of a joint US-British design, which can accommodate 16 silos. The main weapon will be the Trident II D5 SLBM. It is also possible to re-equip several mines for other weapons.
By building the Dreadnoughts, the KVMF will be able to gradually abandon the aging Vangards and ensure the existence of the naval component of nuclear forces until the sixties of the 21st century. At the same time, there are no plans to replace multipurpose nuclear submarines with torpedo and missile weapons.
New frigates
In September, at DSEI 2019, the decision of the tender committee for the construction of promising Type 31 frigates was announced. On November 15, a corresponding contract appeared. The winner of the competition for the design of the ship was the Babcock group of companies with its Arrowhead 140 project. It now has to build a series of five frigates worth 250 million pounds each.
"Type 31" will have a length of 120 m and a displacement of 4,000 tons. It will accelerate to 24 knots and show a cruising range of up to 6 thousand miles. The project provides for the allocation of volumes to accommodate modular loads and equipment. There are also places for mounting a variety of weapons. The frigate will be able to carry a universal vertical launcher with 16 cells and deck launchers. Small-caliber artillery and machine guns will be placed along the perimeter of the hull; the tank will have a 127mm cannon. The aft deck is made in the form of a helicopter platform. A hangar is provided next to the superstructure.
Currently, the contractor company is preparing for the construction of a new type of lead frigate. The bookmark should take place shortly. It will take several years for construction and testing, after which in 2023 the ship will enter the combat strength of the KVMF.
Meanwhile, the construction of the first two frigates of the promising Type 26 project continues. The first was laid down in July 2017, and the laying of the second took place in August 2019. Construction of the third is expected to begin. Five more frigates are planned, but the contract for their construction has not yet been signed.
Ships "Type 26" are being built according to the project of the marine department of BAE Systems; their main goal will be to search for and destroy surface, air and underwater targets. Ships with a length of 150 m and a displacement of 6,900 tons will receive a full range of necessary equipment and weapons. The launchers can carry missiles of various types for various purposes; advanced artillery and torpedo armament is provided.
From desires to possibilities
In recent years, Great Britain, independently and in cooperation with other countries, has developed many different types of weapons and equipment of all major classes for the rearmament of all branches of the armed forces. Some of these developments have already reached production, while others are expected only in the distant future. News from recent months show that the British War Department and industry intend to continue such work and transfer all the required items to the army. The recent DSEI 2019 has confirmed such intentions.
Nevertheless, at almost all stages, new projects encounter difficulties. The main problems are observed in the area of financing. Modern developments are not cheap, which is why they are constantly criticized by certain political circles. Criticism results in controversy, which lead to significant adjustments to the development, production and operation programs. Almost all recent projects have had to be cut for cost reasons.
Ajax has already undergone similar cuts, increasing the need for upgraded Warrior machines. Similar processes are observed in the area of surface and submarine fleets. The Tempest fighter project has not yet emerged from its earliest stages, but has already been criticized for the expected high cost.
Thus, a very interesting situation is emerging. Having a sufficiently developed economy and being a rich country, Great Britain is not able to quickly, timely and fully modernize its armed forces.
The desire to save money leads to the reduction of even the most basic programs with understandable consequences for rearmament. Moreover, such processes in the recent past have already led to the loss of competencies in a number of important areas. Nonetheless, British industry - alone or in collaboration with overseas - is still capable of producing bold and exciting projects in all major areas.
