Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has abandoned plans for a new royal yacht, a project championed by his predecessor Boris Johnson, in favour of an ocean surveillance ship. The decision, announced by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace on Monday, prioritises defence capabilities over what critics called a 'vanity project'.
The scheme, estimated to cost up to £250 million with annual running costs of £30 million, was intended to promote post-Brexit trade. However, Wallace cited Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the need to protect national infrastructure as reasons for the shift. He confirmed the termination of the national flagship competition to focus on procuring a multi-role ocean surveillance ship (MRoss).
The MRoss will be designed to protect sensitive defence and civil infrastructure, including undersea cables. Sunak's spokesperson stated the prime minister believed it was 'right to prioritise at a time when difficult spending decisions need to be made'. The move comes as the government braces for spending cuts in the upcoming autumn statement.
Labour welcomed the scrapping, with shadow defence secretary John Healey saying the money would have been better spent on national defences. The vessel, expected to be built in the UK and serve as a 'floating embassy', had been planned for launch in 2024 or 2025. Harland & Wolff, a finalist in the design process, expressed disappointment but understood the rationale given the economic and geopolitical climate.
