It was a poor example. But the point is to illustrate how far “Great” Britain has sunk.....so to speak.
For example: There was a time when the English school teacher in Sudan would have provoked a vast response from Britain, backed up by a fleet, along the lines of Teddy Roosevelt’s “Pendergrass alive or Raisuli Dead!”
We in Great Britain take great pride in our forces, and their capabilities to defend the nation in times of crisis. They will continue to do so, with the RN moving from an anti-submarine force into an assault/projection fleet. Some of the reductions in the fleet are down to defence cuts, which i disagree with. Even if some of these ageing vessels are getting beyond global travelling and patrolling, they still have a role to play in our domestic waters. Crew them with newbies, give them valuable experience, and move them into a type 45 when the time comes.
We are, on the other hand, bringing some impressive hardwear back to the fleet.
6 new ADD: Type 45
Astute Class submarines
Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers (you can bet these will be built!)
A case in point with the reduction of some of the patrol fleet comes with the old Castle Class being scrapped, with a brand new class of vessel, the River Class to take its place. These new vessels can operate for much longer than the old ships, and are an example of fewer, more capable ships, taking over from more numerous, but less effective units.