"The real issue is that contrary to the single most important recommendation in Sir John Parkers National Shipbuilding Strategy there is still no ring-fenced long-term capital budget for shipbuilding."
Amen to that !!
It shouldn't be beyond the wit of man to look at the current fleet, figure out what and when you need replacements and then organise the flow of specify, design & order to match - but the Treasury apparently HATE that sort of long-term, hard to cancel , system. They want to be able to cut and change every year so they maintain "flexibility" in the overall budget - which is why it's such a mess.................. The submarine saga is just as you describe Boffin - long gaps and then people wondering why it takes so long and costs so much to get back up to speed.