Anti-submarine warships could be cut down to single figures following the Integrated Defence and Security Review, Naval sources have warned against the alleged cuts saying the move could be deemed a “national embarrassment” for a maritime nation.
The Telegraph revealed that the United Kingdom’s existing fleet of frigates could be reduced from 13 to just eight ahead of the highly anticipated review, as replacing them with newer models has proven costly.
A naval source warned against the cuts saying: “The UK could fall into single number frigrates,
“We could have less than 10 warships because new build stuff is in the firing line.”
The source added that the Government “probably won’t order more” and cautioned that “it would be stupid not to”.
The Ministry of Defence has currently requested three Type 26 frigates and five of the Type 31s – in order to replace the aging Type 23s (which have been functioning since the early 1990s and are likely to retire by 2025).
HM’s Government has previously said that it aims to have the first Type 31 launched in 2023, with five ships delivered by the end of 2028.
Despite this, one defence industry source warned that they had heard that one possibility was to “cut the existing frigates early to save money and delay the order and introduction of the new frigates, which would leave a gaping chasm”.
They said: “This is just staggering,”
“It is a very dangerous situation.
“You might as well start claiming that you are going to defend Great Britain with a bunch of dugout canoes.
“This is a painful situation for an island nation that claims it wants to be more visible on the global stage.”
The news follows after it was revealed that tanks were being considered as an area to be cut as part of the view.
Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson’s chief adviser, is said to be heavily involved in the suspected cuts to come, “I don’t think he (Mr Cummings) understands the bare facts,” the source added. “He doesn’t understand what these decisions mean and how they are interpreted by our adversaries and enemies.”
Tobias Ellwood, Chairman of the Defence Select Committee, asked if there was “no aspect of the military that isn’t going to be salami sliced?”
“It all smacks of a rapidly deteriorating integrated review. They are less interested in our defence posture and more about a domestic revolution across Whitehall. It’s dangerous and we are playing with fire here to reduce our military architecture in the way that’s being considered.”
An MoD spokesman said: “With every review it is always the case that people draw early and false conclusions from leaks. We advise against making assumptions based on partial information.
“The guiding principle of the Integrated Review is to ask ourselves what the threat is, and whether we have the capability to meet it.”
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Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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