On sale in the UK from the 14th November the highly successful mix of warship profiles, commentary, and analysis articles on the British fleet, with a dash of history too.
Available in the UK now at selected WHSmiths and other newsagents, CLICK HERE to find a stockist near you in the UK.
Or CLICK HERE to buy it from the Publishers.
Would you like a digital version? Then CLICK HERE
Price £9.99.
The Guide to the Royal Navy 2024 will also be available overseas after this date (date and price will vary according to location).
Guide to the Royal Navy 2024The various components of what remains one of the world’s foremost navies are assessed, along with ship type profiles, naval aviation, amphibious warfare forces and much more, including aspects of naval heritage and other noteworthy developments
A top team of writers provides commentaries and analysis, with stunning imagery from talented photographers. It all combines to maintain the high standards of previous editions.
There are ship profiles (including details of recent front-line missions and also refits that maintain vessels on the cutting edge). The components of the fighting fleet are divided up into: Submarines, Amphibious Ships, Mine Warfare and Survey Vessels, plus the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Patrol Vessels, each with dedicated imagery.
When it comes to specific hot topics, the war in Ukraine – with numerous episodes of combat at sea – has thrown into sharp relief the need for navies to adopt drone technologies and deploy them on operations.
Therefore, a key element of the Guide to Royal Navy 2024 will be a survey of where the Fleet stands in development of uncrewed systems – ‘robot’ surface craft and submarines for countering mines and in pursuit of Anti-submarine Warfare.
How the future of the UK’s maritime aviation is being shaped by drones will also be considered, along with profiles of the new Royal Fleet Auxiliary mine warfare mothership RFA Stirling Castle and ocean surveillance platform RFA Proteus. The latter is needed to prevent sabotage of seabed internet cables and gas pipelines.
Meanwhile, among the big issues confronting today’s (and tomorrow’s) British navy is meeting the ballistic/hypersonic missile threat – another danger highlighted by the Ukraine War – and the Guide looks at a programme to give Daring Class (Type 45) destroyers an upgrade to cope with that danger.
When it comes to the future fleet, updates are provided on the City Class (Type 26) and Inspiration Class (Type 31) frigates that are currently being built to seek out hostile submarines and patrol the oceans. The Guide also weighs up whether or not proposals for a Type 32 frigate are dead in the water and considers plans for a futuristic Type 83 air-defence destroyer.
Nothing is more complex and challenging for the Royal Navy today and tomorrow than Britain being a key player in the Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) defence pact to build new nuclear-powered attack submarines. Therefore, the Guide provides details and commentary on that globe-spanning venture. It also offers the latest on the programme to build new Dreadnought Class Trident missile submarines to provide the future nuclear deterrent to protect the UK and NATO allies.
The revolution in how the elite Royal Marine Commandos – the famous green berets – are sent into action is explained as they return to their sea raiding roots after years of fighting in dusty Afghanistan.
The Guide looks at the current status of the two huge new strike carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, which are ramping up for operations with air wings of F-35B supersonic jump jets and helicopters and to project troops and their equipment ashore
There is also another eagerly awaited ‘State of the RN’ leader commentary. It offers hard-hitting commentary on where the Royal Navy stands as we move towards and into 2024. Things are finely balanced, with formidable threats from potential enemies multiplying by the day. And yet, years of UK Government defence spending cuts are now forcing early decommissioning of older warships years before their replacements enter service. It is a massive challenge for the Navy’s leaders and some hard truths will be delivered.
Plus much more!
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