Defence 'gap' as ships axed
SLASHING four Devonport-based warships has left a gap in the nation's defences a group of MPs has warned.
An influential Commons committee said the Ministry of Defence acknowledged the loss of the Type 22 Frigates', which specialised in anti-submarine warfare and were equipped with sonar, had led to "capability gaps in maritime surveillance".
All four vessels were withdrawn from service as part of sweeping military cutbacks in a bid to fill a £38 billion black hole in the MoD budget.
Members of the Defence Select committee highlighted the importance of maritime surveillance to operations to protect UK home waters, global interests, and combat terrorism.
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The MPs expressed "serious concern" about the risk to national security caused by the Government's decision to scrap the next generation of Nimrod maritime surveillance aircraft, which was cancelled in the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review.
The cross-party committee's report added: "We are aware that the capability gaps that exist in maritime surveillance are not limited to a maritime patrol aircraft, and include, for example, the withdrawal of Sentinel and the loss of the four Broadsword-class Type 22 Frigates' information and intelligence gathering capabilities and towed array sonar."
And it warned the situation was likely to get worse with the planned withdrawal of Sea King helicopters in 2016.
The MPs noted: "The MoD accepted that there were capability gaps in maritime surveillance, resulting most notably from the withdrawal of the Type 22 Frigate and the cancellation of the
Nimrod MRA4."
In addition to substantial armaments, the vessels were also equipped with "useful sensor
equipment".
The report said: "The MoD explained that the Type 22 Frigates provided the Royal Navy's only combination of systems enabling wide ranging monitoring of the frequencies and wavelengths of the Electromagnetic Spectrum from the sea."
Alison Seabeck, Labour MP for Plymouth Moor view and Shadow Defence Minister, said the Government, by "rushing" the defence review, had "left the UK exposed".
Armed forces Minister Andrew Robathan said: "UK maritime surveillance is being delivered by a wide range of military assets, including our surface ships, submarines, Merlin and Sea King helicopters, Sentry and Hercules aircraft and we are also co-operating with our allies."
Comments
by Nevman
Friday, September 21 2012, 9:02AM
“Who are the mysterious "they" who are planning to invade, JH? Do tell.”
by Farkwar
Thursday, September 20 2012, 10:44PM
“LHPlymouth, don't worry. The ships may be leaving, but the Royal Marines are moving in! Although when they get slashed post afghan, post 2015, then what?
More student accommodation anyone?”
by LHPlymouth
Thursday, September 20 2012, 7:06PM
“Bet we are being laughed at for reducing our defence especially with so much going on in the middle east.
What we gonna do..shout 'boo' at them when they come invading?
All has a knock on effect to the Naval Base here...sorry, ever diminishing Naval Base..and the local workforce. I believe more are employed by the University now than the Dockyard and there are many other businesses who benefit from the university also.
So to quote the planning documents... "the primary purpose of the proposal (incinerator) is to produce power from a steam turbine linked with an incinerator" ...
..and this is to save the Naval Base money on their energy bill...
What happens if the fire is built and there is no one at home to take the energy.....which is the ONLY reason its being built and in that location...as usual no joined up writing.
A lot has changed since the original waste development plan in 2007 and a lot can change in the next 2 years but then our leaders won't have thought of that and many of those who made this decision on Dec 22nd will probably have retired by then so what do they care?
Nothing makes sense any more......”
by micromarke
Thursday, September 20 2012, 5:43PM
“Superior is the word. I remember that not long ago our wonderful Government made a deal with France to "Borrow" an Aircraft Carrier from them should the need arise. Carry on Cameron you are doing such a wonderful destruction job of ..The Armed Forces....The Health Service......The Police Service...and much more!!.”
by timplymouth
Thursday, September 20 2012, 9:34AM
“Yep, we all know France is just waiting to invade. We are incapable of defending ourselves from their superior military.”