Security depends on a good navy
(15 Jun 2011)

      NAVY chief Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope warned in The Sun yesterday that the war in Libya is draining the fleet's resources fast. Recent cuts have seen the mothballing of aircraft carrier Ark Royal and its Harrier jets. Here, writing exclusively for The Sun, Sir Mark, 59, explains why, despite cuts, the Navy's work is so important.

I know just how fiercely proud Sun readers and the British public are of the Royal Navy.

For them, the Royal Navy is part of what it means to be British. They expect their Navy to be both strong and respected around the world.

Yet it can be difficult to appreciate how much the Royal Navy does to protect Britain's interests.

We live in a country surrounded by water. This means most of the goods in our shops reach us by the world's superhighway — the sea.

In fact, 95 per cent of UK trade by volume and 90 per cent by value is carried by sea and we import much of the food and energy we need.

The UK's prosperity and security depend on our ability to keep our links with the rest of the world open.

We live in a complex, volatile and unpredictable world and it falls to the Navy to protect our people and our global interests.

How? By guaranteeing access to areas which are vital to our prosperity and security.

Which is why 8,000 sailors and marines are deployed on operations around the world and 30 ships and submarines are at sea, protecting Britain's interests from terrorists, pirates and drug smugglers.

Alongside the Army and RAF, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines are conducting operations across Afghanistan. Nearly 40 per cent of British Armed Forces personnel deployed in Afghanistan are sailors or marines. Right now, a Trident submarine is providing the UK with the ultimate protection — a submarine-based strategic nuclear deterrent, now in its 43rd year, on continuous alert.

And 450 Royal Navy personnel are helping maintain the Libyan arms embargo and no fly zone, having successfully extracted British and other nationals to safety.

The Royal Navy is also protecting UK waters by conducting counter-terrorist and security patrols, fishery protection and providing search and rescue cover. All these ongoing operations are a timely reminder of the utility of your modern, flexible Navy — able to move efficiently from war fighting to humanitarian assistance.

Which is why we are building two new aircraft carriers, have just commissioned the third of six new Type 45 ships, have launched the second of seven Astute-class submarines, are upgrading our helicopter fleets and will deliver 13 new Type 26 global combat ships, four fleet tankers and three support ships.

So, even in this age of air travel and instant global communication, it is still necessary to protect Britain's interests at sea. That is why the Royal Navy is out there — often hidden from view, many miles from land — right now.

That is why the Royal Navy plays a pivotal role supporting the delivery of the UK Government's global responsibilities and global ambitions.

And it is the courageous men and women, sailors and marines I'm fiercely proud to lead, who, with your support, make this all possible. Out there, right now.