Committee publication · Correspondence · 2 June 2026
Letter dated 18th May from the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry providing an update on Royal Navy Surface Fleet Readiness Days for the period covering July to December 2025.
From: Defence Committee
Summary
Minister Luke Pollard updates the Defence Committee on Royal Navy Surface Fleet readiness for July–December 2025. Overall readiness remained stable despite fleet composition changes, with notable improvements in Destroyer readiness driven by HMS DUNCAN and HMS DRAGON availability, offset by reductions in Littoral Strike due to RFA docking periods. Op HIGHMAST deployment and the Surface Fleet Transition Plan (13 new Type 26/31 frigates) underpin longer-term capability.
Key findings
- Afloat Support and Carrier readiness remained broadly stable; HMS PRINCE OF WALES deployment and RFA contributions to Op HIGHMAST sustained operational tempo in the Indo-Pacific.
- Destroyer readiness improved significantly in H2 2025 (295 to 435 readiness days) due to HMS DUNCAN Fleet Ready Escort duties, HMS DAUNTLESS Op HIGHMAST involvement, and HMS DRAGON emerging from planned upkeep.
- Frigate readiness sustained despite reduction in class size following HMS LANCASTER retirement; Type 23 readiness remained stable at 950–953 days.
- Littoral Strike readiness declined markedly (419 to 209 days) due to planned docking of RFA MOUNTS BAY and RFA LYME BAY, compounded by RFA ARGUS withdrawal from the Fleet.
- Atlantic Bastion programme and hybrid fleet development progressed substantially, combining autonomous surface/underwater vessels with digital infrastructure and conventional warships; future readiness reporting may include autonomous systems metrics.
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Luke Pollard MP (Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry), Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP (Defence Select Committee Chair), Royal Navy, Ministry of Defence, HMS Prince of Wales, HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Duncan, HMS Dauntless
Notable line
“Op HIGHMAST represented one of the Royal Navy ' s most demanding and strategically significant deployments, sustaining the Carrier Strike Group ' s presence across the Indo-Pacific over an extended period.”
Key Quotes
“Throughout the reporting period, readiness levels across the Surface Fleet continued to reflect both the consistent operational tempo and the changing composition of the Fleet.”
“Op HIGHMAST represented one of the Royal Navy ' s most demanding and strategically significant deployments, sustaining the Carrier Strike Group ' s presence across the Indo-Pacific over an extended period.”
“As the 13 new Type 26 and Type 31 frigates enter service over the coming years, the Royal Navy will benefit from increased availability, improved deployability, and enhanced warfighting resilience …”
“This will create a more autonomous, more resilient, more lethal Royal Navy, with improved operational readiness that keeps us secure at home and strong abroad.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗