The UK will save £500m by scrapping old military equipment, the defense secretary has announced, despite warning that the UK faces “increasing global threats”.
Ships, drones and helicopters – some more than 50 years old – will be scrapped ahead of schedule, John Healey told the Commons.
But critics say the move will leave Britain’s defenses weaker, at a time of heightened international tensions and after more than a decade of funding pressure on the armed forces.
Shadow defense secretary James Cartlidge criticized the announcement as “a cut, rather than a path to 2.5%”.
The government said the move will help with the implementation of the strategic defense review, due to report back next year.
The equipment removed is:
- Two amphibious assault ships, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark
- Frigate Type A 23, HMS Northumberlandwhich is under refit but has now been decided to be uneconomical due to structural damage discovered during repairs.
- Two tankers, RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler
- Watchkeeper WK450 Mk1 drones
- fourteen CH-47 Chinook helicopter, the oldest Chinooks currently in use by the British
- seventeen Cougar helicopter, which was first introduced over 50 years ago
HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion are held at a lower level of readiness and are not planned to go to sea before their planned retirement, the MOD said, but they still cost millions of pounds a year to maintain. However, the scrapping now leaves Britain without an amphibious assault ship.
Structural damage discovered during repairs to HMS Northumberland means repairing the ship is now uneconomical, the MOD said.
The decommissioned ships will be replaced by new Type 26 frigates and multi-role support ships, but are not expected to be commissioned for several years.
The retired Chinook and Puma helicopters have been in use for decades. The Pumas will be replaced by the new Airbus H-145 helicopter in 2026, while the Chinooks will be replaced by the newer H-47(ER) variant the following year. But critics point to the loophole to argue that the Royal Air Force will have fewer helicopters until the replacement is introduced.
No replacement for the Watchkeeper drone has yet been announced. But drone technology has advanced rapidly in the 14 years since its introduction, the MOD said, which was particularly evident during the Ukraine war.
Healey acknowledged the cuts at a time when “war in Europe, growing Russian aggression, conflict in the Middle East and technology are changing the nature of war”.
In a statement to MPs, he warned that further cuts could be needed, but stressed that he had the support of the head of the armed forces for the decision he had taken.
Experts say the cuts show the MOD is facing significant funding pressure.
“These are generally near-retirement capabilities, ready for little or no more value or investment,” said Matthew Savill, director of military science at the Royal United Services Institute think tank.
“But the fact that the defense can’t afford to be crewed, or is prepared to make cuts to save as little as five years, is an indication that tight resources need to be in the MOD now.”
The MOD believes these changes will help achieve its goals strategic defense reviewa “root and branch” consideration of the current state of the armed forces, the threats facing Britain and the capabilities required to deal with them.
“These are not the only difficult decisions we have to make as a new government to deal with our fiscal legacy,” Healey said, adding that the changes would “secure better value for money for taxpayers and better results for our military”. .
The savings will be kept in defense and all personnel will be redeployed or retrained, Healey said.
In the Commons, Conservative shadow secretary for defense James Cartlidge claimed that HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark could be prepared if necessary for a war scenario, contrary to Healey’s claim that the ships were effectively mothballed.
Chief of the General Staff General Sir Roly Walker said: “I have flown many missions in the CH47 and the Puma, the ultimate warhorse – and I will miss them.
“But all war horses have to come out to pasture at some stage, often because we find faster, better, cheaper ways.”
Chief of the Defense Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said: “Accelerating the disposal of legacy equipment is a logical approach to focus on transitioning to new capabilities that better reflect changing technology and tactics.
“It also complements some tough decisions to ease some of the current financial pressures.”
