Warships International Fleet Review Magazine

27 January, 2026

STATE OF THE RN: Our assessment of where the UK’s naval forces stand today and their challenges. ROYAL NAVY SHIPS & UNITS TYPE 31 PROGRAMME GATHERS STEAM: An update on the construction of some new frigates. HMS VANGUARD OVERHAUL: HMS Vanguard’s overly long major refit. NEXT GENERATION DESTROYER: A proposal to achieve Future Air Dominance. TYPE 26 FRIGATES DELIVERY SET TO ACCELERATE: Where things stand with the City Class ships. NEW MOTHER SHIPS: Vessels that keep pace with threats. FROM COLD WAR TO THE AGE OF AUKUS: Key decisions over the past 30 years that have created today’s UK submarine force. THOSE WHO TACKLE THE MINE MENACE: The reshaped structure for naval EOD specialists. A NEW ERA IN MINE COUNTER-MEASURES: What the RFA Stirling Castle brings to the Fleet. THE RISE AND ILLOGICAL FALL OF UK AMPHIBIOUS FORCES: Political ambivalence has undermined a key capability for decades. PATROL SHIPS & MARINES IN INDO-PACIFIC: Vessels and commandos exert a presence. BRUTAL UKRAINE WAR LABORATORY: Lessons offered by conflict in Europe. LIFE OR DEATH DECISIONS: A frigate CO’s perspective on the Hormuz patrol. BEHOLD THE EPIC MAJESTY: Spectacular portraits of British warships. INSIDE THE DIGITAL ‘TWIN’: Virtual Reality opens up Cold War warrior submarines. HISTORY LIVES ON: Vessels large and small honour D-Day sacrifice.