Only nine out of 18 Royal Navy escort ships are available for operations around the worldHalf of Britain’s warships are out of action because they are undergoing maintenance and upgrades, according to figures released by the Ministry of Defence. Four out of the remaining 12 Type 23 frigates are in dock, with the remaining eight considered “operationally available”. One of the older Type 23s, HMS Monmouth, left service last month, reducing the number of frigates from 13 to 12. SponsoredLast week it emerged five of the navy’s six Type 45 destroyers were also being fixed or undergoing maintenance, leaving just nine out of a total of 18 Royal Navy escort ships available for operations around the world. Five of the navy’s six Type 45 destroyers are being fixed or undergoing maintenance SEYRAN BAROYAN/GETTY IMAGESCommenting on the figures, former rear admiral Chris Parry said the navy had to increase the availability of its surface combatants.

Source: The Times July 27, 2021 14:13 UTC