My letter to the @Telegraph today: ‘SIR – Admiral Lord West of Spithead (Letters, March 26) is right to highlight the role of the Royal Navy in securing the free movement of trade on the world’s oceans. (1/7) #ThreadTweet
This has been affirmed by the Government’s Integrated Review, Defence Command paper and an increase of circa £24 billion in defence spending. (2/7)
Consequently, as First Sea Lord I consider more credit ought to be given to the extraordinary shipbuilding programme that is already under way. The Royal Navy will see an increase to 24 frigates and destroyers by the early 2030s; (3/7)
Type 26 and Type 31 frigates are being built and the Type 32 frigate class is on the drawing board. Over the next decade at least seven classes of ships and submarines will be built: a feat not seen for nearly 50 years. (4/7)
Between 2015 and 2030, the tonnage of the Royal Navy will increase by approximately 50 per cent. Despite a temporary dip to 17 frigates and destroyers we will provide more ships at sea and available for operations than we did last year and are doing this year. (5/7)
This is not alchemy. Rather, it is a fundamental part of the Integrated Review. It’s about modernisation, autonomy and forward presence; focusing on what can actually be deployed, and taking tough decisions to get ready for tomorrow’s fights. (6/7)
In sum, the Royal Navy is being invested in considerably and this is a good time to be “on watch”.’ telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/0… (7/7)
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