Only two of the state-of-the-art warships are currently operational, the paper reports
The British Royal Navy’s destroyer fleet has hit historic lows, with only two of the six advanced vessels currently operational, The Telegraph reported on Saturday, citing the UK Ministry of Defence.
Of the six Type 45 destroyers, four are undergoing extensive repairs, maintenance or other work at the refit yard at Portsmouth, leaving the British fleet at its smallest size in over a century, the report said.
The Type 45 destroyers, also known as the Daring class, form the backbone of the Royal Navy’s air defense capability. Built purposely for anti-aircraft and anti-missile warfare, the ships, however, have been facing various maintenance issues. One of the vessels has spent more time in repairs than in active service since its commissioning 12 years ago, the outlet noted.
The drastic decline in operational warships has raised concerns about the nation’s security, with MPs warning that the UK is increasingly vulnerable to sea and air attacks.
“These reports of only two operational destroyers are extremely concerning. Destroyers provide air defense and with only two destroyers, we simply cannot defend London, let alone the United Kingdom,” MP and member of the defense select committee Mike Martin told The Telegraph.
Additionally, of the Navy’s eight Type 23 frigates (a class below the destroyers), only six are currently operational, according to the report.
With just eight out of 14 destroyers and frigates available for immediate deployment, compared to more than 800 during the Navy’s peak in 1945, the UK fleet has hit its lowest point since the destroyer program began under Queen Victoria, the outlet said.
Earlier this month, British Ministry of Defence official Alistair Carns admitted that the UK is not prepared to fight a war on a scale similar to the Ukraine conflict. He noted that in the event of an actual conflict, the UK would run out of soldiers in six months to a year.
As of July, the British Army had just over 73,000 active-duty soldiers, the lowest number since 1823. The UK’s overall population was around 20 million then, and has since grown to 67 million.
