Royal Navy commanders were in uproar yesterday after it was revealed that almost half of the Fleet's 44 warships are to be mothballed as part of a Ministry of Defence cost-cutting measure.
![]() |
|
Senior officers have said the plans will turn Britain's once-proud Navy into nothing more than a coastal defence force.
The Government has admitted that 13 unnamed warships are in a state of reduced readiness, putting them around 18 months away from active service. Today The Daily Telegraph can name a further six destroyers and frigates that are being proposed for cuts.
A need to cut the defence budget by £250 million this year to meet spending requirements has forced ministers to look at drastic measures.
MoD sources have admitted it is possible that the Royal Navy will discontinue one of its major commitments around the world at a time when Sir Jonathon Band, the First Sea Lord, has said more ships are needed to protect the high seas against terrorism and piracy.
You need to realise one thing. The Labour Party is hardly likely to say that it is building a new fleet is it, especially when Gordon Brown is taking over in six months or so.
The article is a plant to gain support for more military spending. The Telegraph is a Conservative paper. Notice how it mentions France will have a better Navy. This is to get people angry. Think about it.
I do agree with the general sentiment myself though. However, we will have to wait for a Conservative Government before these wrongdoings are corrected.
BTW, I am probably closer to London than you! :)