The defence secretary said 22 ships are “already in the system” and committed to three new ships for the Royal Marines, with the possibility of three more.

The Royal Navy will get 25 new warships - and could get three more - as the government indicates where its planned rise in defence spending will go.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News there are 28 new ships and submarines in the design or construction stage at the moment for the UK’s armed forces.

He said 22 ships are “already in the system” - but there is less clarity over six new warships he announced for the Royal Marines today.

The defence secretary said that the government is committing to three of the new “versatile” ships for the Marines, “and then possibly another three as well”. He later said the final three are “in the design phase”.

He also announced two of the ships being built - type 26 and 31 frigates - will be equipped with land-attack missiles so they will be capable of attacking targets on shore.