Delays and rising costs may hit new carriers, says watchdog

Whitehall body says programme in ‘critical’ phase

A shortage of key personnel could jeopardise the effective deployment of the Royal Navy’s two new aircraft carriers, the Whitehall spending watchdog has warned.

The Carrier Strike programme was entering a “critical” phase with the first of the ships – HMS Queen Elizabeth – nearing completion and due to make its inaugural sailing this summer, the National Audit Office (NAO) said.

It will mark the start of a “high risk” period of trials, testing and training to bring together the carrier with its Lightning II fighter jets and helicopter-borne Crowsnest radar in an integrated force.

The first sailing has already been put back three months and the NAO warns further “technical issues” could mean the Ministry of Defence’s plan for it to be operational by the end of 2020 is delayed. Among the problems it highlighted is the shortage of engineers, intelligence personnel and warfighting specialists in the Navy and RAF air crew.

While the MoD has begun a recruitment programme to address the gaps, the NAO said the number of pilots is expected to be “just sufficient” to 2026, with “limited resilience” if personnel left the forces.

“The department still has a lot to do as it brings together equipment, trained crews, infrastructure and support. Problems in any of these areas could mean that use of the carriers is delayed or reduced,” the NAO said.

“The next three years are critical, as the programme moves into a high-risk period of trials, testing and training. The technology is innovative and operational unknowns, which will only become clear during testing, may affect plans and increase costs.

Picture: PA. HMS Queen Elizabeth, pictured at Rosyth, is due to set sail for the first time this summer.