Royal Navy fleet at 'dangerous and historic low'

The Royal Navy's fleet of warships is "at a dangerous and historic low" leaving the new aircraft carriers at risk of being unprotected.

The assessment by the Defence Select Committee will endorse widespread concerns that the Royal Navy has been left too small after recent job and spending cuts.

The committee's report, called Restoring The Fleet, said the current number of vessels is "woefully low" and raised doubts over the availability of skilled workers in the service.

"For decades, the numbers of Royal Navy escort vessels have been severely in decline. The fleet is now way below the critical mass required for the many tasks which could confront it, if the international scene continues to deteriorate," said committee chairman Dr Julian Lewis MP.

"The Ministry of Defence must deliver this programme of modernisation on time. If it fails to do so, the Government will break its categorical pledge to maintain at least 19 frigates and destroyers - already a pathetically low total.

"The United Kingdom will then lack the maritime strength to deal with the threats we face right now, let alone in the future."

The two aircraft carriers are due to enter service in the next few years. On operations they must be escorted by a fleet of ships for protection but the Royal Navy's current frigates are old and due to be retired soon.

Earlier this month, the Defence Secretary announced the Government would commit to building eight new Type 26 global combat ships but is yet to commit to five general purpose frigates. Unless the Government does, the Royal Navy will fall short of the minimum 19 warships it needs in its fleet.

Whilst the report acknowledged that the shipbuilding programme "has the potential to deliver a modern navy with a broad range of capabilities", it says there are "serious concerns about the funding available".

Responding to the criticism, an MOD spokesperson said: "We are investing in a growing Royal Navy by building two aircraft carriers, the new Type 26 global combat ship, dreadnought and astute class submarines, and offshore patrols vessels.

"We are also developing new class of lighter general purpose frigate so that by the 2030s we can grow the size of the fleet.

"This major programme of investment will ensure that the Royal Navy remains one of the world's most modern and powerful navies with a genuine global reach."