“We need to be rather more ruthless, unless there is to be more money, about getting rid of some of the [capabilities] that are actually deployed less often or [are] incapable of being deployed” because of concerns over safety, he said. “I think we do have some of those capabilities and we need to be prepared to slay the odd sacred cow. . . .
Another capability that could be vulnerable is the navy’s amphibious assault ships, HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion. The landing craft were singled out as potential sacrifices last year.”
So, suddenly, a capability which previously was regarded as a core part of our defence capabilities becomes an expendable "sacred cow". How is it that some mandarin can make such a statement and it not be challenged in the wider media? Surely a major part of the remit for a blue water navy is to facilitate the taking - or retaking - of territory. If you don't have an amphibious capability that naval raison d'etre is lost.
The mandarins focus should be on finding the money, not slaughtering sacred cows.