The Royal Navy's capabilities are set to be strengthened as robot warships armed with as many as 128 missiles will join the fleet.

BAE Systems plans to reveal two innovative naval vessel concepts at a London defence exhibition this week.

The defence contractor's proposals include an "air warfare command ship" fitted with extensive missile arrays, laser weaponry, defensive countermeasures, automated gun systems and launchable unmanned aerial vehicles.

These designs represent a potential solution for the Type 83 programme, which aims to succeed the current Type 45 destroyer fleet while addressing the service's ongoing personnel shortage through advanced automation technology.

BAE Systems plans to reveal two innovative naval vessel concepts at a London defence exhibition this week

The vessel concepts could run on crews of just six to 12 people, but could operate completely autonomously when at sea.

The advanced command vessel would serve as a central hub “mothership” for up to six smaller autonomous platforms known as "deployed sensor effector platforms".

BAE said each smaller ship would take just two years to build, and existing frigates and destroyers woudl take five to six years.

Steve Hart, head of maritime business development at BAE, said: "This is all about delivering additional mass for the fleet using an ultra-lean crewed model."

The new designs are for the Type 83 programme which aims to succeed the current Type 45 destroyer fleet

He explained the concepts emerged from requirements to expand naval forces "more cost-effectively, so you could deliver mass much more quickly, within a probably more constrained budget, and to complement crewed platforms".

The command ship would house primary radar systems and coordinate targeting decisions for the entire flotilla.

Each autonomous platform would be equipped with 32 missiles and detection equipment, requiring crews of merely six to twelve personnel, with full autonomous operation capabilities when deployed.

BAE engineers indicate these smaller vessels could be constructed within two years, significantly faster than the five to six-year timeline for current frigate and destroyer builds.

BAE Systems is Britain's largest defence firm | Getty

Gavin Rudgley, a maritime engineer at BAE, added: “The air warfare command ship would be the ship that carries the main sensor capability, so the main radar, and has the command function that can identify targets and make effectors work, so missiles and so on.

"But it would work in conjunction with the smaller, either uncrewed or ultra-lean crewed autonomous platform that then gives extra leverage.

"This is the direction future warfare is going."

The concepts will be presented on Tuesday at the Defence and Security Equipment International exhibition, Europe's largest defence trade show backed by the Ministry of Defence.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer (2L) and Britain's Defence Secretary John Healey (2R) talk with Royal Navy Vice Admiral Andrew Burns (L) and Commodore James Blackmore, on the flight deck of a British aircraft carrier

The emphasis on unmanned systems reflects lessons from Ukraine's conflict.

Autonomous drones have transformed combat operations in the region, whilst personnel availability problems have compelled the Royal Navy to decommission vessels prematurely.

In June, Vice Admiral Andrew Burns, the Fleet Commander, identified staffing as the service's primary challenge.

He said: "It's people, right now. It's the quantity of people. And it's not just recruitment, it's retention."

Naval forces have missed enlistment goals annually since 2011

Naval forces have missed enlistment goals annually since 2011.

Just 2,450 recruits joining during 2023-24, falling short by over 1,500 personnel or 40 per cent below target, according to Ministry of Defence figures.

The shortage of sailors is a significant concern for the Navy, which faces increased operational demands

Experts have warned it could potentially lead to the mothballing of warships due to a lack of crew.