On Tuesday, 20th November, the Government announced its intention to axe three Devonport-based warships in a huge blow to the military prestige of Plymouth. Amphibious assault ships HMS Albion and Bulwark and the Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland are all on the chopping block in the latest swathe of stinging government cuts.
The £500m MoD cuts also includes two tankers, RFA Wave Knight and Wave Ruler, Watchkeeper WK450 Mk1 drones, 14 CH-47 Chinook helicopters and 17 Puma helicopters.
Rebecca Smith MP, Member of Parliament for South West Devon, stated:
Our dockyard is a source of immense pride to our city. The loss of Devonport’s largest warships is a sad day for Plymouth.
The decision to cut HMS Albion, Bulwark and Northumberland at a time of growing global instability diminishes the Royal Navy’s status as a ‘full-spectrum force’. It also raises serious questions about the service’s recruitment.
Just last January, Labour’s local representatives were calling for these warships to be protected – I am genuinely surprised and disappointed by their ‘about turn’. Their loss is a huge blow to Plymouth’s prestige and local economy and further evidence that the Southwest is Labour’s forgotten region in the Budget.
These cuts make me even more determined to secure a new deal from government which delivers the skills, housing and transport investment needed to deliver Devonport's vital role refitting submarines.
The Royal Navy must maintain a broad range of naval capabilities to effectively combat the proliferation of threats to UK national security in an uncertain age. Axing the warships, Rebecca argues, diminishes the Royal Navy’s status as a ‘full-spectrum force’. The loss of HMS Albion and Bulwark, in particular, thwarts the Royal Navy’s ability to project power from sea to land.
Underlying challenges to recruit seamen have raised uncomfortable questions for the service. Royal Navy recruitment fares worst among the three services, meeting 60% of its recruitment target in 2023/24. Rebecca has identified this shortfall as a contributing factor behind the cuts.
Read Plymouth Live's coverage here: https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/loss-warships-brand…
