"Black Days" Begin in the United Kingdom
World
The UK Defence Secretary announces the scrapping of £500m worth of ships and drones to cut costs.
Two former Royal Navy flagship vessels, a frigate, and two support tankers will be decommissioned. The savings will be reinvested into the defence budget. Healey explained the decision as being due to the "poor legacy" left by the previous Conservative government.
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge criticized the announcement, calling it “cuts instead of a roadmap to 2.5%” and labeling it a “black day” for the Royal Marines.
The government has pledged to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, though no specific timeline has been provided. Among the measures, the assault ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark will also be decommissioned.
Healey emphasized that amphibious capability would still be provided by the remaining fleet, and the £9m annual savings would be directed toward the development of support ships offering "broader capabilities" for the future.
It was also announced that RAF Chinook helicopters would be retired early.
Fourteen of the oldest Chinook transport helicopters will be decommissioned earlier than planned, and the service life of Puma helicopters will not be extended beyond March 2025.
"This accelerated retirement applies to the 14 oldest helicopters in a fleet of more than 50. Some have served for over 35 years, and they are due for costly maintenance, which will no longer take place.
"This decision will allow us to transition faster to newer, more efficient Chinook helicopters and save funds that can be redirected to other defence priorities," Healey said in explaining the decisions.
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge criticized the announcement, calling it “cuts instead of a roadmap to 2.5%” and labeling it a “black day” for the Royal Marines.
The government has pledged to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, though no specific timeline has been provided. Among the measures, the assault ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark will also be decommissioned.
Healey emphasized that amphibious capability would still be provided by the remaining fleet, and the £9m annual savings would be directed toward the development of support ships offering "broader capabilities" for the future.
It was also announced that RAF Chinook helicopters would be retired early.
Fourteen of the oldest Chinook transport helicopters will be decommissioned earlier than planned, and the service life of Puma helicopters will not be extended beyond March 2025.
"This accelerated retirement applies to the 14 oldest helicopters in a fleet of more than 50. Some have served for over 35 years, and they are due for costly maintenance, which will no longer take place.
"This decision will allow us to transition faster to newer, more efficient Chinook helicopters and save funds that can be redirected to other defence priorities," Healey said in explaining the decisions.
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