British navy struggles to stay afloat, only 2 destroyers operational

The British Royal Navy’s operational capacity has reached a historic low, with only two of its six advanced Type 45 destroyers available for deployment, according to the U.K.’s Ministry of Defense. The other four destroyers are undergoing extensive repairs and maintenance at Portsmouth.

The decline leaves the fleet at its smallest operational size in over a century, raising concerns about national security and Britain’s ability to respond to global threats.

The Type 45 destroyers, also known as the Daring class, are critical for countering air and missile attacks. The vessels serve as the backbone of the U.K.’s air and missile defense system.

However, maintenance problems have plagued the vessels since their launch. HMS Daring, commissioned 12 years ago, has reportedly spent more time under repair than in active service.

The issue extends to the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates, with only six of the eight ships in service. This leaves just eight operational destroyers and frigates out of a fleet of 14.

Lawmakers expressed alarm over the situation. Mike Martin, a member of Parliament’s Defense Select Committee, warned that with only two destroyers ready, the U.K. may struggle to defend London, let alone the rest of the nation.

Some members of Parliament proposed stationing a destroyer on the Thames to provide a defense against missile threats, mirroring strategies used in other conflict zones.

The challenges facing the British navy come as Britain’s armed forces face broader resource constraints.

The British army has been reduced to 73,000 active-duty soldiers, its lowest level since 1823.

Further scrutiny comes with plans to cut costs by retiring additional ships, including amphibious assault vessels HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, as well as the Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland.