Royal Navy chief backs drones, autonomous weapons in ‘Hybrid Navy’

Britain's Royal Navy is formally adopting a "Hybrid Navy" strategy integrating crewed, uncrewed, and autonomous platforms, announced by First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins. The shift responds to demonstrated vulnerabilities: Ukraine destroyed a third of Russia's Black Sea Fleet with uncrewed weapons, while Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz highlighted risks to traditional surface vessels. The Navy is building the doctrine across five key strategic areas to maintain defense and freedom of navigation capabilities.