Docked ... all six of Royal Navy’ s destroyers
THEY cost a billion pounds each and are the mainstay of the Royal Navy.
But yesterday it emerged that – instead of protecting Britain’s interests around the world – all six of Britain’s Type 45 destroyers are sitting idle in Portsmouth.
A photograph of the warships tied up at the dockside was published by website UK Defence Journal.
One military source said it was unprecedented that all the ships – which are largely Clyde-built – should be in port, and that it indicated bad planning or ‘something more serious’.
Meanwhile, maritime strategist Professor Eric Grove told Sky News: ‘We don’t have enough frigates and destroyers. We are paying the price for the neglect of the Royal Navy in recent years.’
The Ministry of Defence conceded it ‘does not look good’.
A spokesman said such a scenario was ‘unusual but not unprecedented’. It’s the latest embarrassment for the fleet of state-of-the-art warships after it was revealed that they will need expensive engine refits because they keep breaking down.
There have been reports of persistent problems with the gas turbine engines and power systems. The ‘fix’ will involve cutting huge holes in the sides to fit new equipment.
The MoD said the presence in dock of all six ships – the Navy’s entire destroyer force – was not connected to the engine issue.
A spokeswoman said: ‘This week the Navy had over 8,500 personnel on operations around the world and 34 ships at sea.
‘All Type 45 destroyers have just returned from operations, are about to be deployed, are conducting training or carrying out maintenance, or are home for crew to take summer leave.’