'Rules Britannia, Britannia rules the waves…' It was a time when Britain's brave ships crossed the planet and established the British Empire on which 'the sun never sets'.
But oh, how things have changed. To the point where Britain has lost so much of its influence in the world that it has become 'one of many middle powers', according to former defense secretary David Miliband.
In addition, British warships have recently suffered from a number of problems called 'never-ending nightmares'.
But now the UK Ministry of Defense wants to install modern lasers on warships designed to ‘shoot down drones cheaply’.
This is expected to happen in 2027 under reforms designed to accelerate the deployment of this new technology.
Reuters reported:
“The British Ministry of Defense (MOD) estimates that the laser can be fired at any target visible in the air at a cost of about 10 pounds ($12.52) per shot, with an accuracy equivalent to hitting a one pound coin from 1 kilometer (0.62 miles). I said there is. away.
The Pentagon said the DragonFire laser was expected to be available starting in 2032 and could use intense beams of light to cut through targets. This means it could be a long-term, low-cost alternative for taking down drones. .
“In a more dangerous world, our approach to procurement is changing with it,” Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said in a statement about the laser, known as DragonFire. “Our far-reaching reforms will deliver the latest kit and weapons for our troops more quickly.”
'DragonFire showcases the best of Britain at the forefront of military technology, and we will waste no time in getting it into the hands of our forces to tackle the threats we face.'
Lasers are an accurate and cost-effective way to target drones, making them a cheap and lethal way to take out expensive military targets that, in modern warfare, are hundreds or thousands of times more expensive than drones.
Not only can drones destroy advanced weapon systems, but they also have the problem of being expensive to shoot down.
The Sea Viper missiles used by Britain to shoot down Houthi drones in the Red Sea cost around 1 million pounds ($1.26 million) each.
This comes at a time when the legendary Royal Navy is not at its ‘best time’. This is mainly due to ongoing problems with the British aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.
Both ships face endless technical malfunctions and operational restrictions.
Moreover, according to the Telegraph, the Royal Navy's auxiliary fleet, which provides supplies to the fleet at sea, is in 'more serious disarray' than many think.
Slavygrad reported:
“Many ships are out of service due to staffing shortages, some are on ‘extended readiness’ and some are estimated to never be deployed.
According to Sky News, Britain's civilian seafarers' eagerness to strike due to significant pay cuts could have implications for the country's military operations globally, as well as the activities of NATO.
“Experts believe the naval situation reflects Britain’s internal crisis – the political and economic problems it faces today.”
— Paul Serran (@paul_serran) April 12, 2024
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