Warships all in dock – but no engine issue
ALL of the Royal Navy’s most powerful warships are in port at the same time – but defence bosses deny engine problems.
The Type 45 destroyers broke down in the Persian Gulf recently, as they are not designed to spend a long time in warm waters.
However, the Ministry of Defence insisted the only reason the six £1billion warships are now docked in Portsmouth is so crews can spend time with their families over the summer.
There are ongoing fears the cost of replacing the engines of the warships, which are not equipped to cope with the Gulf heat, could threaten jobs on the Clyde if the MoD is left with a hugely depleted budget.
Tom Sharpe, from the Directorate of Defence Communications, said having all the warships in port was “unusual but not unprecedented” and that the ships could be docked for “anything from a few weeks to a month”. Mr Sharpe said: “It happens most Christmases.
“To have them docked for a sustained period over the summer is unusual but not unprecedented.
“They (the crew) have got to take leave and we have got manpower issues which are much publicised.
“It’s got to be planned in advance.
“They spend so much time away and it’s about harmony time – getting the work- life balance right.
“You could argue if you are trying to rebalance harmony time it does not look good, but in reality it combines everyone getting away at the right time of year. It’s just a coincidence, nothing to do with the engines.”
There are concerns the cost of repairing the ships could put jobs at Go van and Scotstoun at risk, eating into the Royal Navy’s already tight budget and putting the Type 26 frigate programme on the Clyde under further strain.
The MoD said US warships were carrying out the destroyers’ role in operations in the Gulf.