The Royal Navy’s operational capacity has hit a record low, with only two of its six Type 45 British destroyers currently available for deployment, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
Four of the state-of-the-art battleships are currently undergoing repairs at Portsmouth, raising serious concerns about the UK’s defence system as global tensions grow.
The situation has prompted MPs to warn that Britain might be unable to protect itself adequately since the total number of operational vessels has now reached its lowest point since the Victorian era.
Of the Navy’s total fleet of 14 destroyers and frigates, just eight are ready for immediate deployment.
HMS Daring – one of the Type 45 destroyers – has spent more time under repair than at sea since its commissioning over a decade ago
PA
HMS Daring – one of the Type 45 destroyers – has spent more time under repair than at sea since its commissioning 12 years ago.
The startling situation has extended beyond destroyers to the Navy’s Type-23 frigates, with only six of the eight smaller vessels currently operational.
As a result, the Royal Navy’s surface fleet has fallen to an historic low, with less than 60 per cent of its total battleships ready for deployment. At its peak in 1945, the Royal Navy boasted more than 800 destroyers and frigates in its surface fleet.
The four Type 45 destroyers currently stationed at Portsmouth are undergoing a series of improvements, although specific details of these repairs have not been disclosed by the Ministry of Defence.
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Destroyers have been a cornerstone of British naval power for over a century since their programme began during Queen Victoria’s reign.
“These reports of only two operational destroyers are extremely concerning. Destroyers provide air defence and with only two destroyers, we simply cannot defend London let alone the United Kingdom,” Mike Martin, MP for Tunbridge Wells and defence select committee member, told The Telegraph.
Additionally, Labour MP Luke Akehurst pointed out last month that a Type 45 destroyer would need to be permanently stationed on the Thames to effectively defend London from ballistic missile attacks similar to those Russia launched against Dnipro.
The MoD highlighted recent successes, mentioning that Type 45 destroyers had “successfully shot down a Houthi rebel ballistic missile and attack drones” in the Red Sea.
Of the Navy’s total fleet of 14 destroyers and frigates, just eight are ready for immediate deployment
PA
Labour recently announced plans to save £500million by decommissioning several vessels ahead of schedule.
Among the ships set to be retired early are two amphibious assault ships, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, along with the Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland.
An MoD spokesman said: “The UK stands fully prepared to defend itself against any threat alongside our Nato allies.
“The Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force are equipped with a range of advanced capabilities to provide a layered approach to air and missile defence – for example, Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers have successfully shot down a Houthi rebel ballistic missile and attack drones as part of efforts to protect shipping in the Red Sea.
“As the Defence Secretary [John Healey] recently announced, the UK will lead a new initiative with Nato allies to integrate and strengthen our collective air and missile defence.”
