Originally Posted by
Onceapilot
However, what seems to have happened, with the war canoes, is an RN push for an unstoppable (defence) budget-grab!
Whereas, what really matters is the identification of the real need for certain capabilities versus their cost to the nation and, their relative merit compared to other necessary defence of the nation capabilities.
You mean like successive defence reviews that decided the UK needs carrier strike, amphibious capability, and Continuous At Sea Deterrence? How is standing still (maintaining current capabilities) a budget grab? Perhaps you might be interested in this discussion:
The Royal Marines no longer needed?
In 2015 the naval staff provided demonstrated that a manpower uplift of 1500 was needed, but the them PM intervened and refused. This is the Royal Navy's major issue at the moment.