Rebuilding our Navy as a protective force in an ever more volatile world

THE Strategic Defence Review last week saw the Government lay out its 10-year plan for the military with plans to raise spending on the armed forces to 3% in the next Parliament. With the war in Ukraine, conflict in Gaza, threats from pariah states and a hostile China, the world is a more dangerous and volatile place than it has been since the end of the Second World War. This week the Express has launched its Defending The Nation series with a deep dive into the state of our forces and their ability to defend us in a new era. Today we look at the Royal Navy and at some of the shortfalls facing the British military.

- By Marco Giannangeli Defence Editor

ONCE powerful enough to forge an empire from its masts, the Royal Navy today is a far leaner force.

Though diminished in scale, the Senior Service remains a globally deployable bluewater fleet with cutting-edge capabilities and 32,000 personnel driven by professionalism and purpose.

While new frigates and destroyers will join in the next decade and 12 hunter-killer subs are promised, its main vulnerability is no secret: size.

MODERN NAVY, DANGEROUS WORLD

The official surface fleet includes 53 vessels plus 13 Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships.

However, fewer than half are operational at any one time, meaning the UK can field just 12 major warships to protect its global interests. Against rising threats from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea the CRINK nations every hull counts.

The picture underwater is equally mixed. Our nuclear deterrent relies on four Vanguard-class submarines operating under the Continuous At Sea Deterrence policy. One is always deployed, with another on standby.

But a worsening recruitment crisis is hitting this Silent Service hard, forcing submariners to undertake increasingly long tours of duty.

Ballistic missile sub HMS Vanguard returned to the Clyde in March after a record 204 days underwater a gruelling stretch that is making the staff retention problem worse.

Only HMS Astute and HMS Anson are active of the six Astute-class hunter-killer craft. Yet the fleet is vital for protecting undersea cables, escorting the nuclear deterrent and tracking hostile submarines.