Instead of replacing aging destroyers, the Navy builds integrated warships.

Plans to build new destroyers to replace aging warships will be scrapped in favor of at least six new state-of-the-art “hybrid” ships equipped to deploy drones in the UK’s upcoming defense plan.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) said the new ships would be better suited to “the speed and nature of modern warfare” and a better investment than “a small number of expensive ships”.

Defense Secretary Dan Jarvis said the new weapon would be “designed and built for the growing threats we face.”

Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised to publish the months-delayed Defense Investment Plan (DIP) ahead of the July 7 NATO summit in Turkey.

The MoD had been looking at options to replace the Type 45, the Navy’s aging destroyers, with the Type 83, which was at an early design stage.

Instead, investment will go toward six new joint combat ships, which the department says will enable “more resilient air defense by coordinating redundant systems in the air, on the surface and under the sea.”

He said the change in approach would expand “the Navy’s reach, resilience, and firepower with a commensurate increase in personnel and cost.”

The government has not disclosed how much money has been put into the DIP for the development of new ships.

He said they will be part of actions to deter Russian activity in the North Atlantic and the High North, protect critical underwater infrastructure and improve NATO defences.

Along with support ships, the department said the naval program would be a “once-in-a-generation investment in new naval capability” and would provide jobs for British shipyards.

Acrimonious budget negotiations between the MoD, Treasury and government departments have led to the resignations of John Healey as Defense Secretary and Al Carnes as Defense Secretary in recent weeks, who were told to cut DIP pay.

Both said the Treasury had not provided enough additional funding to address gaps in Britain’s military capabilities or to keep pace with the pace of change in modern warfare.

Haley Starmer said the Treasury was “unable” and “unwilling” to commit the resources needed to defend the country “at a time of heightened threat”.

Carnes said the DIP draft plan “doesn’t make enough of a difference or is not well-funded.”