IS BLAIR TO BLAME FOR DISMANTLING THE BRITISH NAVY? [+] serious ballot by patch22us created Tue Jun 05, 07 I was really shocked to read today that the British Royal Navy has been systematically dismantled. Here is some of what I read: Here is a comparison of ships in the Royal Navy in 1990 with initial projections for 2007, which are still being cut. Carriers 1990 3 (actual) 2007 Proposed 2 Battleships 1990 29 2007 3 Cruisers 1990 0 2007 0 Destroyers 1990 51 2007 19 Submarines 1990 29 2007 13 An article: Royal Navy or "Phantom Navy "- You Decide Confused Downing Street Government policy statements simply reinforce the hard fact of life that the UK Government has run out of money and ideas to redress the economic position of a once proud seafaring nation protected by the might of the Royal Navy. Unions are alarmed at talk of base closures... The defence secretary has visited Portsmouth Naval Base amid concerns over its possible closure under a major government review. Portsmouth is one of three docks that could face cuts under an MoD review. Des Browne MP was met by commanding officers and MPs Mike Hancock and Sarah McCarthy-Fry at the base. Mr Browne said precise details about what the future holds for Portsmouth will not be decided until the naval base review is completed. Devonport in Plymouth and Faslane in Scotland, the home of the Trident missile-carrying submarine fleet, are also under scrutiny by the Defence Logistic Organisation. But surely, we operate our Navy with a large number of other service warships? Er, apparently, shock horror - No we don't! The number of major warships has shrunk drastically in recent years, with the Navy's fleet of frigates and destroyers cut from 31 to 25. More than a dozen remaining vessels are mothballed in dockyards to save money. The Government has admitted that 13 unnamed warships are in a state of reduced readiness, putting them around 18 months away from active service. It has been reported that six other warships are to be mothballed - the Type 22 frigates Cumberland, Chatham, Cornwall and Campbeltown and two Type 42 destroyers Southampton and Exeter. It is likely that they will eventually be sold or scrapped. There are also fears in the Admiralty that two new aircraft carriers, promised in 1998, might never be built. The head of the Royal Navy has warned that Britain's fleet is shrinking to the size of Belgium's. Sir Jonathon Band, the First Sea Lord, has openly said, if that happens, he will quit in protest at spending cuts. The Belgian navy seemingly has just three frigates and fewer than 2,500 personnel. Britain's top admiral warned that spending cuts are reducing the nation to a third-rate sea power. It is quite obvious that more money is needed simply to cover day-to- day costs, such as training and spares. Senior officers have spoken out over the shocking state of military accommodation, while the overstretched forces are having to cut back on training exercises because of severe budget problems. And it appears that they are cutting even more in 2007: "However, instead of being reduced from 35 to 32, the frigate and destroyer force has been slashed from 35 to 25. Instead of being reduced from 12 to 10, the submarine force is being slashed from 12 to a maximum of eight. The carriers – one of which was supposed to be in service by 2012 – have not yet been firmly ordered, and no target in-service dates are now given by the Government, despite its previous willingness to do so. The 12 Type 45 destroyers which were projected, and which have a key role in the air defence of the sea base, have been reduced to a programme of eight; but only six of these have been ordered and ships seven and eight may never be built." Holy cow! I had no idea. Is this Blair's doing? What are your thoughts on this British members of Best & Worst? Who do you think is to blame? Tony Blair is to Blame The Whole Government is To Blame Register to submit choices Ballot #115424 : SEE RESULTS Comment: Register to submit comments You may still vote without registration show your vote with comment?

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