The Navy normally provides a minimum coverage of a frigate or destroyer fulfilling the role of Fleet Ready Escort (FRE) in order to be able to respond quickly to a potential threat at home or abroad.
However, slashed Defence budgets and the war in Libya has meant there hasn't been a vessel available since the start of October.
The last ship to fill the role, called the FRE, was HMS Portland but that left for war games off the coast of Scotland in October, and it is now having a rest period in Plymouth on the south coast.How is that "1,000 Ship Navy" concept working for 'ya?
...
The shortage comes after the Government cut the navy's surface fleet to 19 frigates and destroyers in last year's defence review.
Critics warned the cuts would leave the navy overstretched. Since February nine warships have been deployed to Libya, leaving none left to be on hand in the UK.
It is believed the last time this happened was 1982 after every available ship left for the Falklands War.
Hat tip Bill.
I believe I've read (sorry no link) that the RN is now smaller than at any time since the Spanish Armada.
ReplyDeleteMere powder, guns, and bullets,
ReplyDeleteWe scarce can get at all;
Their price was spent in merriment
And revel at Whitehall,
While we in tattered doublets
From ship to ship must row,
Beseeching friends for odds and ends -
And this the Dutchmen know!
No King will heed our warnings,
No Court will pay our claims -
Our King and Court for their disport
Do sell the very Thames!
For, now De Ruyter's topsails
Off naked Chatham show,
We dare not meet him with our fleet -
And this the Dutchmen know!
Coming to a Surface Force near you, sooner than you think.
ReplyDeleteSo much for the HOME Fleet...
ReplyDeletelike we should talk. When was the last time the Navy made good on its requirement to have the capability to defend our harbors against offensive mining?
ReplyDeleteAnd don't tell me that it could never happen..
Even 1 Kilo class can stealthily lay minefield set to arm on D-day and shut entire harbor down until LCS gets correct module - which is, like, few years in the future?
ReplyDelete<span>
ReplyDeleteTrade shall be held the only God
And gain the sole device;
The statesman's aim shall be peace,
And peace at any price.
Her army and her navy
Britain shall cast aside;
Soldiers and ships are costly things,
Defence an empty pride.
The Germans and the Muscovite
Shall rule the narrow seas;
Old England's flag shall cease to float
In triumph in the breeze.</span>
http://monologues.co.uk/Serious_Note/Foxs_Prophecy.htm
The 1,000 ship navy is as much of a dream as the 300 ship Navy. When you aircraft are going to cost 200mil a peice you want 400 along with dozens of others and 12bil aircraft carriers.........Does anyone really wonder?
ReplyDeleteThird time lucky!
ReplyDelete