A pinch of salt is needed for that
Telegraph article:
Someone else has done the numbers on another site.
Type 23s:
13 ships. Of which:
4 active
3 in refit
2 in maintenance
3 in post refit work up
1 laid up
Type 45s
6 ships. Of which:
2 active
1 refit
1 maintenance
2 laid up!
At present, total active surface fleet of 6 ships (out of 19). Another 6 can be bought to ready state quick. We just need more people. Traditionally it was said you need three ships to keep on on station, so 6 deployed out of 19 seems about right.
Caveat: Not sure of source - probably not official. The issues with mid life updates/new systems and ships with TA sonar are a bit more complex that it might appear.
The RN had something like 5000 personnel removed under SDSR 10, with it seems little thought to sensible management and future manning issues. Then before SDSR 15, the RN was expected to get a manpower uplift of something like 1500 - 2000 personel, as did the RAF. Where will the manpower for the new MPA come from?
Sadly, CMD made reference to 'troop numbers' in Parliament which led to him being unduly influenced by various Generals (one of whom seems to have disappeared since the Chilcott enquiry) and Fleet Street types who went to the right schools.
Blaming the RN, or the carriers, for political cowardice does not seem right.