Originally Posted by
ORAC
Fair enough but, noting the author and the periodical in question, bear in mind that this isn't a politically neutral take on events. Elsewhere, the Telegraph's current coverage of the UK military response to Iran, including our failure to deploy an aircraft carrier to protect our permanent aircraft carrier in the eastern Med, hasn't exactly impressed me either.
Key context to all of this is that the RN is currently at the bottom of a trough, in terms of numbers of assets, as a result of decisions made by successive governments over the last 20 years. On current plans, frigate numbers will increase from 6 clapped-out vessels to 13 modern frigates - but not until 2035 at least. As of today, the chickens have come home and are roosting.