Royal Navy Nuclear-Missile Sub Accidentally Dove to "Danger Zone". Was Moments Away From Implosion

Daily Mail: Royal Navy nuclear submarine equipped with Trident missiles 'suffered huge malfunction that sent the vessel into an endless dive - with engineers saving the 140 crew members moments before they faced being crushed by underwater pressure' 

A Royal Navy nuclear submarine equipped with Trident missiles suffered a huge malfunction that sent it into an endless dive before the vessel was righted moments before the crew faced being crushed by underwater pressure, it was claimed today. 

The Vanguard class sub had been carrying 140 crew when its depth gauge suddenly failed while on a mission in the Atlantic. 

It caused a frantic scrabble with engineers managing to stop the submarine and its nuclear reactor from plunging further just moments before disaster struck.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This is what would have happened if the plunged was not stopped .... A nuclear submarine was plunged into danger. This is what would happen if it sank (Metro). 

Royal Navy Nuclear-Missile Sub Accidentally Dove to "Danger Zone"  

Royal Navy nuclear submarine sinks towards ‘danger zone’ -- The Telegraph  

Second depth gauge saved UK Vanguard nuclear sub diving dangerously low, defense minister says -- Breaking Defense  

Royal Navy Nuclear-Missile Sub Accidentally Dove to "Danger Zone" -- Maritime Executive  

Royal Navy trident nuclear submarine saved moments before sinking -- The National  

Navy nuclear sub malfunction plunged vessel into 'danger zone' -- Metro

Royal Navy Trident nuclear sub saved moments before plunging to 'danger zone' -- Daily Record

British Navy Ends 90 Year Tradition Of Employing Chinese Laundry Workers Over Spy Fears

 

Daily Mail: British Navy drops custom of employing Chinese servants on warships over fears they may spy for Beijing 

 * It comes after MI5 spy chief warned China is trying to steal Britain's nuclear technology secrets from Britain 

The British Navy has dropped the custom of employing Chinese laundry workers on warships over fears they may spy for Beijing, according to a report. 

Hundreds of Chinese laundrymen have worked on British ships since the 1930s, but the majority were taken on from Hong Kong to wash and press sailors' uniforms and officers' white tablecloths.  

Read more .... 

 Update #1: BEIJING BAN Navy ditches custom of Chinese servants on British warships over spy fears (The SUN)  

Update #2: British Navy dumps 90-year-old Chinese laundrymen tradition (Next Shark)  

WNU Editor: These Chinese laundry workers will be replaced by Nepali Gurkhas .... British Navy replacing Chinese laundrymen with Nepali Gurkhas to prevent spying (First Post).

I also wonder if this "Chinese ban" will extend to other services/departments in the Royal Navy.

The British Royal Navy's "Dreadnought Submarine' Is Progressing

The Dreadnought Class SSBN (ballistic missile submarine) will incorporate advanced features. This includes a new multi-layered sound reducing stealth, with built in outer hull.  

Insider: The British navy is teaming up with the US to build a new 'Dreadnought' for a totally different battle at sea 

* The British Royal Navy is building a new class of nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines. 

* The British subs will have the same missile compartment as the US Navy's new missile subs. 

* The name of the new subs recalls the first Dreadnought, a battleship that redefined naval warfare. 

In 1906 the British Royal Navy commissioned HMS Dreadnought, a battleship that changed how surface warships were designed and sparked a naval arms race. 

Armed with five turrets bearing twin 12-inch guns and featuring new technologies like steam turbines and electronic fire-control equipment, HMS Dreadnought became the standard on which future battleships were based and separated the "pre-dreadnought" and "dreadnought" eras. 

 Long after the battleship's reign came to an end, the name Dreadnought is still a defining one. The Royal Navy's first nuclear-powered submarine, in service from 1963 to 1980, was also called HMS Dreadnought.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The first two boats, HMS Dreadnought and HMS Valiant, are already under construction. They are destined to take over Britain’s nuclear deterrent from the 2030s .... First Submarine To Use New Stealth Technology (Naval News).

Royal Navy Sailors Rushed To Hospital After Drinking ‘Contaminated Water’ On HMS Portland

The Royal Navy said ‘human error’ caused a problem with one of HMS Portland’s fresh water systems. Photograph: The Royal Navy/PA

Daily Mail: Royal Navy sailors rushed to hospital after drinking water on HMS Portland is 'contaminated' in 'serious situation' - as scientists are scrambled to assess the damage to the frigate 

* HMS Portland reportedly diverted today after drinking water was 'contaminated' 

* The ship returned to Portsmouth as a 'precautionary measure', it was confirmed 

Royal Navy sailors were rushed to hospital today after drinking contaminated water on a ship, it has been alleged. 

Frigate HMS Portland was diverted to Portsmouth Naval Base today after a sailor noticed the warship's drinking water had been 'contaminated' with chemicals. 

A defence source told MailOnline a number of sailors have been taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: It looks like they isolated the problem .... Royal Navy sailors in hospital after ‘wrong chemical’ added to ship’s water (The Guardian) 

Royal Navy Sailors Rushed To Hospital After Drinking ‘Contaminated Water’ On HMS Portland 

Royal Navy sailors hospitalized after drinking water on ship -- AP  

Royal Navy soldiers fall ill after drinking water ‘contaminated’ on HMS Portland -- The Independent  

Royal Navy sailors rushed to hospital after drinking contaminated water on HMS Portland -- Mirror

Norway's Kongsberg Precision-Strike Missiles To Replace Harpoon Missiles On UK Warships

Naval Strike Missile (Kongsberg / Royal Navy)  

Reuters: UK navy ships to be armed with advanced long-range strike missiles 

LONDON (Reuters) - British navy frigates and destroyers will be given advanced long-range anti-ship missiles in a new deal agreed by defence minister Ben Wallace with Norway announced on Wednesday. 

The Naval Strike Missiles made by Kongsberg Gruppen ASA will be used on eleven British Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement. 

Measuring nearly 4 metres long, the missiles can strike enemy ships and targets on land at distances of more than 100 nautical miles (115 miles) at subsonic speeds, the MoD said. 

The Naval Strike Missiles will replace the Harpoon surface-to-surface weapon due to go out of service in 2023.  

Read more .... 

Norway's Kongsberg Precision-Strike Missiles To Replace Harpoon Missiles On UK Warships  

Kongsberg precision-strike missiles to replace Harpoons on UK warships -- C4ISRNet  

MoD forced to fit warships with Naval Strike Missiles ahead of the Harpoon’s retirement -- The Telegraph   

Royal Navy selects Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile -- Naval News  

Britain to buy Naval Strike Missiles -- UKDJ  

Royal Navy Signs Up for Naval Strike Missile to Replace Harpoon -- Maritime Executive

UK Approves Construction Of Frigates And Support Ships

An artist’s impression of all eight Royal Navy Type 26 frigates at sea (UK MoD)  

Breaking Defense: UK spending spree boosts Royal Navy frigate and support ship fleets 

"Construction of all eight frigates is expected to be completed by the mid-2030s, with the first, HMS Glasgow, entering service by the end of 2028," state the UK MoD. 

DUBLIN — In a two day span this week, the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) pledged funding of $7.9 billion to industry contractors for the second batch of Type 26 frigates and building of Fleet Solid Support ships, as part of a major modernization effort for the Royal Navy. 

Announcing the $6 billion contract award to BAE Systems for City Class (as designated in Royal Navy service) frigates on Nov. 15, London said five new ships are to be manufactured and will lead the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare surface fleet. 

The vessels are in line to join a first batch of three Type 26 frigates already under construction in Govan, Scotland.  

Read more .... 

UK Approves Construction Of Frigates And Support Ships  

UK orders five more counter-submarine frigates for $5 billion -- Defense News

Spanish-British shipyard team wins bid for UK naval logistics fleet -- Defense News  

Royal Navy announces construction of three new supply ships for aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales -- The Portsmouth News  

U.K. Awards BAE Systems $5B for Type 26 Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigates -- USNI News  

Naval Shipbuilding Returning to Belfast’s Harland & Wolff -- Reuters

Is The Royal Navy's Newest Aircraft Carrier HMS Prince of Wales A Lemon?

Britain's newest aircraft carrier the HMS Prince of Wales has spent just 87 days at sea during its first two years in service, it has been revealed

Daily Mail: Revealed: Royal Navy's newest aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales spent fewer than 90 days at sea in TWO YEARS after springing leaks twice in five months 

 * The HMS Prince of Wales has spent a third of the time her sister ship has at sea 

 * Vessel is now stranded in Portsmouth harbour after two leaks in five months 

 * It has been banned from setting sail from its home port on safety grounds 

Britain's newest aircraft carrier the HMS Prince of Wales spent just 87 days at sea during its first two years in service, it has been revealed. 

The vessel will now be stranded in Portsmouth until May next year after flooding wrecked the vessel's vital electrical systems last month. 

It has been banned from setting sail from its home port on safety grounds after thousands of gallons of sea water poured into the engine room for more than 24 hours in early December. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Only 87 days at sea during its first two years in service. And now it is banned from setting sail from its home port on safety grounds!!!!! The UK Navy has a problem.

U.K. Royal Navy Warships May Be Stranded In Plymouth By Tugboat Strike

© Photo : Royal Navy 

Business Live: Tug strike threatens 'Christmas chaos' for Royal Navy in Plymouth 

Unite union members are to strike from Christmas Day potentially crippling naval shipping movements around Devonport Royal Naval shipping movements around Plymouth will be plunged into “Christmas chaos” when specialist tug operators at Devonport’s naval base go on strike, union bosses say. 

About 40 tractor tug crew members employed by outsourcer Serco Marine will go strike from December 25 after the employer announced their working pattern would change from one-week-on and one-week-off to three-weeks-on and three-weeks-off. 

Read more .... 

Update: Royal Navy Warships May Be Stranded in Plymouth by Tugboat Strike in Latest Maritime Fiasco (Sputnik) 

WNU Editor: What a way to run a navy.

The Royal Navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth Heads A Carrier Strike Group For The First Time

 

Warzone/The Drive: Behold HMS Queen Elizabeth’s First Carrier Strike Group 

The aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth takes center stage as the task force is put through its paces in Exercise Joint Warrior. The United Kingdom’s Royal Navy is back in the Carrier Strike business, having assembled a task force of warships assembled around the first-in-class aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. The Royal Navy’s new Carrier Strike Group of nine warships — including the carrier — began working-up operations in the North Sea before embarking on its first maneuvers, Exercise Joint Warrior. 

The Royal Navy first announced that HMS Queen Elizabeth was leading the Carrier Strike Group, which has a strength of approximately 3,000 personnel, in total, on October 5, 2020. There are 15 American and British F-35Bs embarked on the carrier, another major milestone in the ship’s history that you can read about more in this recent War Zone piece, and there are also 11 helicopters spread across the entire flotilla. 

Read more .... 

More News On The Royal Navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth Heading A Carrier Strike Group For The First Time 

Britannia rules the waves once more: HMS Queen Elizabeth leads flotilla of nine ships as Royal Navy's new carrier strike group assembles at sea for first time -- Daily Mail 

Royal Navy’s New Carrier Strike Group Assembles For The First Time -- Naval News 

HMS Queen Elizabeth heads carrier strike group for first time -- PA 

VIDEO: HMS Queen Elizabeth Strike Group Assembles -- USNI News 

Message to Putin! Royal Navy leads HUGE NATO force in North Sea - 'Let games begin!' -- Express Royal Navy's Carrier Strike Group forms up for first time with HMS Queen Elizabeth at its centre -- Portmouths News

F-35B Stealth Fighters Operations Underway Aboard The HMS Queen Elizabeth

Daily Mail: Stunning moment one of 14 elite F-35 fighter jets roars into action from runway of Royal Navy’s new 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth II as she sails to North Sea for final battle-ready tests

* The 65,000-tonne carrier left Portsmouth earlier this week and is sailing for exercises in the North Sea
* Big Lizzie has 14 F-35 Lightnings aboard, the RAF's latest fighters boasting vertical take off and landing
* Jets from the RAF's famed 617 Squadron (The Dambusters) have been joined by allies from the US Marines
* Queen Elizabeth is taking part in exercises for next few weeks to prepare her for first deployment next year

Stunning footage has revealed F-35 stealth fighters roaring off the colossal flight deck of the Royal Navy's new flagship aircraft carrier the HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Fourteen F-35B Lightning stealth fighters, four from the RAF Dambusters and ten from the US Marines Wake Island Avengers, have joined Big Lizzie for drills with allies in the North Sea.

The 65,000-tonne carrier left Portsmouth earlier this week and is taking part in its final training exercises before it is declared ready for war.

Read more ....

More News On F-35B Stealth Fighters Operations Underway Aboard The HMS Queen Elizabeth

HMS Queen Elizabeth welcomes UK and US jets for major exercise -- Naval News
New Aircraft Carrier for Royal Navy: HMS Queen Elizabeth Finally Set Sail This Week -- National Interest
VIDEO: Marine F-35Bs Underway on U.K. Aircraft Carrier -- USNI News
British Navy HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier with US and British F35B fighters to conduct naval exercise -- Navy Recognition
In First, Marine Corps F-35 Fighters Deploy Aboard British Aircraft Carrier -- Military.com
In a first, US Marine Corps F-35B fighters are deploying aboard a British aircraft carrier -- Business Insider
Photos: U.S. Marine Corps Fighters Deploy with Royal Navy Carrier -- Maritime Executive

Report Released Detailing 2018 British Nuclear Submarine In ‘Near Miss’ With Packed Ferry After Ship Sees Periscope

Undated handout photo issued by the Marine Accidents Investigations Branch (MAIB) of the Stena Superfast VII ferry. A Royal Navy submarine and the ferry were at "serious risk of collision" after safety decisions on the Navy vessel were taken based on inaccurate information, an investigation has found. © MAIB/PA Media

The Independent: British nuclear submarine in ‘near miss’ with packed ferry after ship sees periscope

A Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine was at “serious risk of collision” with a ferry after the commanding officer made safety decisions based on inaccurate information, an investigation has found.

A Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report said the two vessels came within 50-100 metres of each other in the incident on 6 November, 2018.

Crew on the Stena Superfast VII ferry showed “great presence of mind and strong conviction” in altering its course to avoid the collision after spotting the submarine’s periscope nearby.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The report is here .... Stena Superfast VII and Royal Navy submarine report published (Gov.uk).

More News On The 2018 Near Miss Between A British Nuclear Submarine And Packed Ferry After Ship Sees Periscope

Royal Navy nuclear submarine had near-miss with car ferry packed full of passengers -- Daily Mail
North Channel submarine near-miss endangered ferry passengers -- BBC
UK submarine put ferry passengers in danger of collision, report finds -- The Guardian
Royal Navy nuclear submarine almost collided with ferry after speed miscalculation, report finds -- SKY News
Stena ferry crew averted submarine collision disaster by spotting periscope -- The Scotsman
Submarine almost collided with ferry after misjudging its speed, report finds -- PA Media
Royal Navy Submarine In Incident With Ferry Identified -- Forbes
British nuclear submarine close to disaster after NEAR MISS with packed passenger ferry, report finds -- RT

This £1bn Royal Navy Warship Has Spent Four Years Stuck In Port Because Of Engine Problems And A Shortage Of Sailors

HMS Dauntless, a Type 45 destroyer, has been sitting in Portsmouth harbour since 2016 – when she spent a total of six days at sea

Daily Mail: HMS Hopeless: £1bn Royal Navy warship has spent FOUR YEARS stuck in port because of engine problems and a shortage of sailors

* HMS Dauntless spent 4 years in port due to engine problem and sailor shortage
* Warship cost £1billion and has been sitting in Portsmouth harbour since 2016
* Six Type 45 destroyers were at sea for a combined total of 649 days last year

One of the Royal Navy’s £1billion warships has spent four years stuck in port because of engine problems and a shortage of sailors, it emerged yesterday.

HMS Dauntless, a Type 45 destroyer, has been sitting in Portsmouth harbour since 2016 – when she spent a total of six days at sea.

The 8,000-ton ship, which has been used as a training vessel, will now undergo a major engine refit and will not be deployed for another year.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: It is hard to believe that one time Britannia ruled the waves.

Video Shows Water Pouring Into £3Billion HMS Prince of Wales Aircraft Carrier

Daily Mail: We are bailing! Video shows water pouring in to £3billion HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier after sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth suffered the same fate

* A pipe leaked on the HMS Prince of Wales on Friday at Portsmouth Naval Base
* A video on the Facebook group Jackspeak shows the warship's ankle-high flood
* This comes after HMS Queen Elizabeth had flooding over several decks last July

The Royal Navy has launched an investigation after a pipe leaked on the £3billion HMS Prince of Wales warship, causing an ankle-high flood.

The leak is said to have taken place on the 65,000-ton aircraft carrier on Friday while it was at Portsmouth Naval Base.

A video posted on the Facebook group Jackspeak shows water gushing through the ceiling and flooding an entire room of the warship.

Read more ....

Update: Royal Navy investigates HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier leak (Plymouth Herald)

WNU Editor: It's a pipe leak.

Best Submarines Ever?

Reuters

Caleb Larson, National Interest: This Might Be One of the Best Submarines Ever (Not in the U.S. Navy)

These are some well-made boats.

While the United Kingdom’s powerful Vanguard-class grabs a lot of attention, the smaller Astute-class is also nuclear powered—and the UK’s largest nuclear attack submarines.

Astute-class

The Astute-class is the Royal Navy’s most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine and the successor of the previous Trafalgar-class. The first of the class, the Astute, was launched in 2007. Though the class is approximately 50 percent longer than the Trafalgar-class, it supports a smaller crew due to higher operation automatization. Thanks to its weapons suite, sonar package, and other onboard technologies, the Astute-class is one of the most advanced submarine designs in the world.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The British have a long seafaring history. Not surprised that they are able to build some powerful submarines.

UK Nuclear Submarine Commander Fired After Organizing A Barbecue For His Crew In Dockyard During Lockdown

Royal Navy Trafalgar-class submarine HMS Trenchant during a passenger exchange during exercise Saxon Warrior 2017 with the US Navy, August 5, 2017. US Navy/MCS Seaman Zachary Wickline

Daily Mail: Royal Navy nuclear submarine commander John Lewis is SACKED after coronavirus lockdown barbecue he organised for his crew

* Commander Lewis relieved of command of the HMS Trenchant after barbecue
* He will be assigned other duties after the Royal Navy investigation, reports claim
* Barbecue 'one of a number of incidents in which judgement came into question'

Royal Navy nuclear submarine commander John Lewis has been sacked after he organised a barbecue for his crew amid the coronavirus lockdown.

Commander Lewis was relieved of his command of HMS Trenchant and will reportedly be assigned other duties after he was placed under 'administrative investigation' over concerns about his judgement.

The barbecue, which took place earlier this month amid the nationwide lockdown, was said to be just one of a number of incidents 'in which his judgement came into question', BBC Defence Correspondent Jonathan Beale said on Twitter.

The broadcaster also claimed it was not only senior officers ashore who advised against the barbecue and DJ set, but some of his own crew.

A Royal Navy spokeswoman confirmed Lewis' dismissal to MailOnline.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: He was told not to do it ..... but he had his party anyway. You can see a video of the party here (link here).

More News On The Firing Of Royal Navy Nuclear Submarine Commander John Lewis

Coronavirus: Royal Navy submarine lockdown party captain sacked -- BBC
A British submarine commander was fired for throwing party for his crew during a coronavirus lockdown -- Business Insider/Task & Purpose
Coronavirus: Submarine commander loses job after BBQ party during lockdown -- SKY News
British submarine commander relieved of duty after dockside BBQ party -- NY Daily News
Nuclear submarine commander fired after throwing rave barbecue in dockyard during lockdown -- The Independent
Royal Navy Submarine Captain Sacked For Throwing a 'Booze Cruise' -- National Interest

U.K. Royal Navy To Get Its First Underwater Drone

MSubs S201 will be the basis for the for the Royal Navy's first XLUUV MSubs

Newsweek: U.K. Navy Has Just Bought What Could Be the World's Biggest Underwater Drone—And It Can Be Armed

The British Royal Navy has awarded a contract for the production of an autonomous submarine that will effectively be the world's largest underwater drone once constructed.

The contract for the XLUUV (extra-large unmanned underwater vehicle)—which will measure around 100 feet in length and have the capability to carry weapons—was awarded to U.K.-based manufacturer MSubs Ltd, which specializes in building military and scientific submersibles.

The Royal Navy drone will be almost double the length of the upcoming Boeing Orca XLUUV—four of which were purchased last year by the U.S. Navy.

Read more ....

Update #1: Royal Navy To Get First Large Autonomous Submarine (Forbes)
Update #2: British Royal Navy has awarded contract for large autonomous underwater vehicle (Navy Recognition)

WNU Editor: Around 100 feet in length, these drones can also be armed.

The U.K. Does Not Have Enough Ships To Escort Its Aircraft Carriers

David Axe, National Interest: The Royal Navy’s New Aircraft Carriers Are Eating the Fleet

The Royal Navy in late 2019 announced the composition of its first-ever aircraft carrier battle group. And it’s both good and bad news for the storied fleet.

Good news because the Royal Navy just barely should be able to generate all the ships and planes it need to deploy an entirely British battle group.

Bad news because frequent deployments with the same mix of ships clearly is unsustainable as the Royal Navy shrinks, the inevitable result of decades of declining budgets.

HMS Queen Elizabeth, the lead vessel in a two-ship class of conventionally-fueled carriers, is slated to deploy for the first time in 2021. Fleet officials told reporters the flattop will sail with two Type 45 destroyers including HMS Dragon, two Type 23 frigates including HMS Northumberland, a nuclear-powered attack submarine, the tanker RFA Tideforce and fleet stores ship RFA Fort Victoria.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Its hard to maintain a world class navy when you are unwilling to allocate the resources to make it happen.

F-35 Takes Off From HMS Queen Elizabeth In Portsmouth (Video)

Daily Mail: Big Lizzie showboats for Britain! Brand new £120m F-35B Lightning fighter jet takes off from HMS Queen Elizabeth for first time in UK after flight trials in US

* An F35B Lightning supersonic stealth jet took off from aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth
* It is the first time any of Britain's newest fleet of jets has launched from the carrier while in British waters

A state-of-the-art jet fighter has taken off from the Royal Navy's aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first time while in the UK.

The roar of the F-35B Lightning's engines could be heard as it launched from the 'ski ramp' on the flight deck of the carrier while it was docked at its home base in Portsmouth.

The aircraft was kept on board the 65,000-tonne carrier as it returned from the US where the ship recently carried out flight trials with the new jet fighter.

Read more ....

F-35 Takes Off From HMS Queen Elizabeth

Watch the historic moment an F-35 takes off from HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth -- Portsmouth News
Videos: HMS Queen Elizabeth Launches First F-35 Stealth Aircraft -- Sputnik
F35 takes off from HMS Queen Elizabeth for first time in UK -- BBC
New £120m F-35B Lightning fighter jet takes off from HMS Queen Elizabeth for first time in UK -- The SUN

Britain Sends Another Warship To The Persian Gulf

The Royal Navy's Type 45 Daring-class air-defence destroyer Defender practices underway security with the Cunard Liner Queen Mary 2 in the Gulf of Oman on April 17, 2016. (Photo courtesy of Royal Navy)

Daily Mail: Britain sends fourth Royal Navy warship to patrol Persian Gulf after Iranians captured UK-flagged vessel Stena Impero and her 23 crew

* The UK-flagged vessel Stena Impero and her 23 crew was captured last month by Iranian commandos
* Ministry of Defence confirmed HMS Defender has been ordered to the region
* HMS Duncan, HMS Kent and HMS Montrose have already been deployed

Britain is to send a fourth Royal Navy warship to patrol the Persian Gulf following the capture of the UK-flagged vessel Stena Impero and her 23 crew last month by Iranian commandos.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed last night that destroyer HMS Defender has been ordered to the region following the deployment of HMS Duncan, HMS Kent and HMS Montrose.

The Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer Defender will protect UK ships amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Read more ....

More News On Britain Sending Another Warship To The Persian Gulf

British navy says 3rd warship sailing to Persian Gulf -- Navy Times/AP
Britain sends another warship to Gulf -- AFP
Britain sends another warship to boost presence in the Gulf -- Reuters
Royal Navy sends third warship to the Gulf to protect British-flagged ships from Iranian attacks - The Telegraph
Fourth UK Warship to Join British Destroyers Patrolling Persian Gulf Amid Tensions With Iran -- Sputnik

A Look At The Shrinking Royal Navy

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

Daily Mail: Royal Navy has only ordered one aircraft carrier, four fishing patrol vessels, one frigate and five subs for the next TEN YEARS as report warns it will get even smaller amid criticism it can't protect ships in the Gulf

* Comes as questions have been raised over Britain's ability to defend itself after attacks on UK vessels by Iran
* Aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, which joins 'Big Lizzie', is the only other of the behemoths being built
* There are two types of submarines underway, made up of the Astute class and Dreadnought-class
* To stem flow of migrants trying to reach the UK, four river-class offshore patrol vessels are being developed
* And a fleet of frigates are to join the UK's defence force, but only one has been been given commission date

The Royal Navy has only ordered one aircraft carrier, a handful of offshore patrol vessels, five submarines, and a single new frigate for the next decade as a report says its force will get even smaller.

It comes as serious questions have been raised over Britain's ability to defend itself following Iran seizing the UK-flagged tanker Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz.

The aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, will be a sister ship to the Navy's flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth and will not come on line until next year.

Four river-class offshore patrol vessels are being developed and will be operational before the end of the year, however they will be no use in the current stand-off in the Gulf.

Those boats will be pressed into service to stem the flow of migrants trying to reach the UK mainland.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: And the trend of shrinking the fleet will continue.