Pretty much, but note he is Min DEST, and thus "operating" doesn't come his purview (or budget), thus doesn't give a ****. He is repeating a line taken by CDM for the last year or so.
I'd be more concerned if MinAF or SoS Defence was saying this.
In sum, it's a game of bluff: if SoS wants all the RN's capability, he has to pay for it, Levene devolution or not.....