Plymouth MP Luke Pollard has written to the Defence Secretary demanding ‘urgent clarification’ over growing concerns that the Royal Navy’s two Plymouth-based amphibious warships are set to be mothballed due to a shortage of Royal Navy personnel.
Luke Pollard stated that rumours that the Defence Secretary Grant Shapps is considering retiring HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark from active service had ‘caused considerable concern in Plymouth.’ Both amphibious assault ships, also known as Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), are based at Devonport.
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The Plymouth MP and Shadow Armed Forces Minister also welcomed the announcement that the Defence Committee is intending to call witnesses for a special inquiry into the possible mothballing of Albion and Bulwark, including the potential consequences for Royal Marine capabilities if the ships leave active service.
Luke Pollard said the inquiry was a ‘precious opportunity to make the case for these ships, the Royal Navy and for the Royal Marines.’
Both warships are designed to transport the Royal Marines and their equipment ashore, leading to concerns that retiring the ships may lead to a reduced role for the Royal Marines. Albion and Bulwark were expected to remain in service until 2034.
In the House of Commons Defence Secretary Grant Shapps admitted that ‘no final decision has been made’ on whether Albion and Bulwark would be retired from active service.
In a 2018 report, ‘Sunset for the Royal Marines’, the Defence Committee’s predecessor Committee warned that the disposal of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark would be ‘militarily illiterate’ and ‘totally at odds with strategic reality.’
Luke Pollard, said:
“Having successfully stopped Ministers scrapping Albion and Bulwark once, they’re at it again. To stop Rishi Sunak from mothballing Devonport’s largest warships we will need to bring all the pressure we can to bear on the MOD.
“That’s why I have called on the Defence Secretary to urgently set out whether rumours of mothballing these ships are accurate, so the mist of concern can be lifted and plans can be adequately scrutinised and assessed.
”It is now important that an inquiry from the committee that scrutinises defence is used a precious opportunity to make the case for these ships, the Royal Navy and for the Royal Marines.”
The Defence Committee has announced its intention to hold its evidence session within the next few weeks.
Commenting on the new inquiry, Vice-Chair of the Defence Committee, John Spellar MP, said:
“The Royal Marines are rightly viewed as a jewel in the defence crown. They play a pivotal role in the UK’s ability to defend its interests abroad. But they cannot do that without the right equipment and transport.
“The Defence Committee is deeply concerned by reports that the Government is considering retiring HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, which the Royal Marines rely on.
“We first raised the alarm on the damaging consequences this would have for the Royal Marines back in 2018.
“Losing these ships would make successful amphibious landings very difficult, and touted alternatives are unlikely to fill the hole Albion and Bulwark would leave.
“The Defence Committee has announced plans to hold an evidence session to further consider the impact losing these ships would have, and to hold the Government to account on its plans for the Royal Marines’ capabilities. We will announce details of witnesses in due course.”
News that the warships could be mothballed followed on from rumours that HMS Westminster and HMS Argyll, both Type 23 frigates, may not re-enter service after refits in Devonport.
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Dr Andrew Murrison, the Minister for Defence People and Service Families, recently admitted the UK was ‘struggling to recruit people into our armed forces.’
