As UK’s Type 83 destroyers near concept phase, uncertainty rises over where the vessels will be built

As the Type 83 Destroyer program nears its concept phase, the UK faces growing uncertainty over where the warships will ultimately be constructed.

The Type 83 destroyer is part of the broader Future Air Dominance System (FADS) program, which is aimed at replacing the current Type 45 destroyers. The new vessels are expected to play a critical role in enhancing the UK’s air defense capabilities, particularly in countering evolving threats to the nation’s maritime borders.

The decision could have profound implications for the UK’s shipbuilding industry, which has already faced challenges in recent years.

As part of a written response to a parliamentary question, Maria Eagle, the UK’s Defense Minister, revealed that “it is not yet possible to confirm where these ships will be built”, and that “the subject is due to commercial process”.

However, Eagle highlighted that the Type 83 destroyer project will “secure work until at least the mid-2040s, depending on the number of platforms built”. An analysis of supply chain involvement and social value will be conducted during this phase, she added.

FADS is a transformative multi-domain program that will provide maritime integrated air and missile defense (M-IAMD) against threats in the air and space domain and long-range precision strikes (LRPS) against targets in air, land, and maritime domains. The program will align itself with a ‘system of systems’ approach, according to the UK officials.

Eagle also unveiled that the FADS program entered the concept phase.

In November last year, Defense Equipment & Support (DE&S), part of the UK Ministry of Defense, initiated a market engagement process to gain a clearer understanding of current capabilities and offerings that may be relevant to FADS.

The government is committed to delivering a thriving shipbuilding sector across the UK, supporting the whole supply chain, from design to repair, systems, and integration. 

The Royal Navy’s Type 83 destroyers are scheduled to replace the existing Type 45 destroyers in the late 2030s.

So far, a few details have been disclosed about the vessels; however, the project was backed by some of the largest shipbuilding companies, such as BAE Systems. In October 2021, the shipbuilder started the delivery of the FMSP.