UK BBC: Navy to build drone-equipped warships instead of replacing ageing destroyers

[oldcpu]

BBC has an interesting article (dated 29-June-2026):
Navy to build drone-equipped warships instead of replacing ageing destroyers

some extracts:

Plans to replace ageing warships will be scrapped in favour of building at least six new modern "hybrid" vessels equipped to deploy drones as part of the UK's upcoming defence strategy.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the new vessels would be more suited to the "pace and nature of modern warfare", and a better investment than a "small number of large expensive ships".
...
Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has committed to publishing the long-delayed defence investment plan (DIP) before the Nato summit in Turkey on 7 July after months of talks over how to fund it.

The MoD had been exploring options to replace the Type 45, the Navy's fleet of destroyers, with the Type 83, a concept vessel which was at an early design phase.

Instead, investment will now go towards six new Common Combat Vessels, which the department said would be capable of "coordinating uncrewed systems in the air, on the surface and under the sea to deliver more resilient air defence".

I am most curious (1) to see the design, and (2) to see if other navies quickly follow suit?

EDIT - related (sort of) is a wiki such as this which notes drone carrier concept (referred to as UVX) : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UXV_Combatant

 

[NEKO]

Something like Singaporean MRCV?

 

[mehmed beg]

I think, this is really really interesting idea. Maybe few arsenal ship added

 

[Passenger]

That is the future, look the Type 076 in PLAN.

The first example of a new class of Chinese warship with a large open flight deck, commonly referred to as the Type 076, is steadily taking shape. Generally described as an amphibious assault ship, there have long been reports that the vessel could feature catapults and arresting gear to support an air wing that includes uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) and other fixed-wing drones.

China's Type 076 Is Shaping Up To Be A Monster Amphibious Warship

From what we can see of China's newest class of amphibious assault ship so far, its width may be its most significant feature.

www.twz.com