British Defence Minister will free up 500 million pounds ($633 million) for military budgets over five years by scrapping Royal Navy ships, decommissioning a drone system and retiring some helicopters.
“Today, with full backing from our Service Chiefs, I can confirm that six outdated military capabilities will be taken out of service,” John Healey said.
How Would This Measure Contribute To Savings?
He told Parliament on Wednesday that ending the capabilities would save the Defence Ministry 150 million pounds over two years, and 500 million over five years.
All the savings will be retained within defence budgets.
“These decisions will deliver better value for money and ensure we are in a better position to modernise and strengthen U.K. defence,” Healey said.
More Difficult Decisions Ahead?
“These will not be the last difficult decisions I will have to make,” Healey said on Wednesday as he made the announcement.
How Defence Works Must Change
“We are in a new era of rising global tensions. We need a new era for U.K. defence,” Healey said.
He added, “How defence works must change to deal with the increasing and diversified threats.”
Defence Expenditure
Britain said it plans to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence in future.
In the short term, its finances are being squeezed by the need to spend more on public services such as health and education.
Ships That Will Be Retired From Service
HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, two amphibious assault ships will be retired from service in March 2025, Healey said.
These ships were being used to land Royal Marines.
HMS Northumberland Will Also Be Retired
He added that HMS Northumberland, a Type 23 frigate will also be retired instead of refitted.
Healey described HMS Northumberland – Type 23 Duke-class warship – as “a frigate with structural damage which makes her uneconomical to repair.”
Fiscal Prudence
HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, two former flagships, will also be decommissioned.
The Defence Secretary said these two vessels were “retired” by previous ministers but were “superficially kept on the books” at a cost of £9m a year.
The Army’s Watchkeeper Mk 1 Uncrewed Aerial System will be retired along with 14 older Chinook helicopters, and a number of Puma helicopters.
He went on to say that they have provided valuable capability over the years but their work is done.
Forward Looking Vision
” We must look now to the future and all current personnel will be redeployed or retrained. No one will be made redundant.”
Need For Balancing Budgets
He blamed the “fiscal inheritance” from the previous government for the need to make cuts to balance budgets in the short term.
He said that Britain’s allies had been informed of its plans.
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