What is the current ratio of Air Marshals, Air Commodores and Group Captains in the R.A.F. to units / squadrons etc.?
I was fascinated to see recent figures about the size of the Royal Navy, in particular a statement made in parliament that “There are now 40 admirals and 260 captains in the Royal Navy. However, as a result of defence cuts, there are only 19 active warships.”
So the Royal Navy has 15 times more commanding officers than active warships, with 40 admirals and 260 captains but just 19 ships.
The statistics were revealed by Tory MP James Clappison during a defence debate in the Commons on 17th October, here:
House of Commons Hansard Debates for 17 Oct 2013 (pt 0002)
He highlighted the plight of the Navy by revealing there are now 13 captains for every destroyer and frigate, and about two admirals – who each earn more than £100,000 a year – per warship.
He said: ‘In the past the dream of a captain in the Navy might have been to command his own ship.’
‘Today, it might be that dream is simply to set foot on a ship.’
OK that’s the ratio in the Royal Navy. What is the current ratio of Air Marshals, Air Commodores and Group Captains in the R.A.F. to units / squadrons etc.?