Royal Navy: MoD confirms fleet size is under review amid calls to build more ships to stave of threats

By Freddie Webb

Trainee Reporter

Published 6th Sep 2024, 14:45 BST
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Warship numbers in the Royal Navy fleet are being monitored as part of government plans to make changes to the armed forces.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is carrying out a Strategic Defence Review in a potential overhaul of projects. Examinations are being completed to evaluate the state of the armed forces and recommend any changes.

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Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, under the new Labour government elected in July, said the party is planning to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but only once the review has been completed. Opposition politicians have criticised the move over its lack of clarity.

The size of the Royal Navy fleet is being reviewed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as part of the government's Strategic Defence Review, with the goal of increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP. Pictured: HMS Prince of Wales leading a fifteen ship formation - with jets flying past - as part of a UK-led Carrier Strike Group. Front row: HMS Prince of Wales Row 2 (L-R): USS Paul Ignatius, ESPS Almirante Juan de Borbon, Row 3 (L-R): HMS Portland, HNLMS Karel Doorman, HNOMS Magnus Lagabote, RFA Tidespring, HNOMS Olav Tyrggvason, ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, FS Normandie Row 4 (L-R): RFA Mounts Bay, HNOMS Otto Sverdrup, HNOMS Gnist, Kv Bjornoya, FGS BonnThe size of the Royal Navy fleet is being reviewed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as part of the government's Strategic Defence Review, with the goal of increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP. Pictured: HMS Prince of Wales leading a fifteen ship formation - with jets flying past - as part of a UK-led Carrier Strike Group. Front row: HMS Prince of Wales Row 2 (L-R): USS Paul Ignatius, ESPS Almirante Juan de Borbon, Row 3 (L-R): HMS Portland, HNLMS Karel Doorman, HNOMS Magnus Lagabote, RFA Tidespring, HNOMS Olav Tyrggvason, ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, FS Normandie Row 4 (L-R): RFA Mounts Bay, HNOMS Otto Sverdrup, HNOMS Gnist, Kv Bjornoya, FGS Bonn
The size of the Royal Navy fleet is being reviewed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as part of the government's Strategic Defence Review, with the goal of increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP. Pictured: HMS Prince of Wales leading a fifteen ship formation - with jets flying past - as part of a UK-led Carrier Strike Group. Front row: HMS Prince of Wales Row 2 (L-R): USS Paul Ignatius, ESPS Almirante Juan de Borbon, Row 3 (L-R): HMS Portland, HNLMS Karel Doorman, HNOMS Magnus Lagabote, RFA Tidespring, HNOMS Olav Tyrggvason, ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, FS Normandie Row 4 (L-R): RFA Mounts Bay, HNOMS Otto Sverdrup, HNOMS Gnist, Kv Bjornoya, FGS Bonn | Royal Navy

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle, said the findings of the review should be published at the beginning of 2025.Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle, said the findings of the review should be published at the beginning of 2025.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle, said the findings of the review should be published at the beginning of 2025. | Ministry of Defence/PA Wire

Alex Easton, Independent MP for North Down in Northern Ireland, submitted a written question to parliament asking whether plans are in place to increase the Royal Navy fleet. Minister of defence procurement, Maria Eagle said: “The Strategic Defence Review will determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence, including the Royal Navy, to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century, deliverable and affordable within the resources available to Defence within the trajectory to 2.5 per cent. The review will report in the first half of 2025.”

Questions have been asked regarding whether the UK has a large enough maritime force to protect themselves and other Commonwealth and Allied nations. Former Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Captain Simon Booth is the latest high-ranking former naval personnel to criticise the size of the force, stating that it would take years to carry out a Falklands War scale operation.

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The Royal Navy has always reiterated that it meets all of capabilities and planned tasks. The UK Defence Journal reports that the force has enhanced the availability of its frigates and destroyers despite concerns over crewing and the reduction in overall numbers. They said roughly 47 per cent of escort vessels, Type 45 Destroyers and Type 23 Frigates, are active or immediately deployable.

However, only two of out six Type 45 destroyers - HMS Duncan and HMS Dauntless - are currently active. Five out of the nine Type 23 frigates are on operations. Both classes of ship are due to be replaced with Type 31 and 26 counterparts. The Defence Journal said Type 45 availability has increased by 17 per cent, with Type 23 rising by 26 per cent.

Related topics:Royal NavyUK Government

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