The Royal Navy is not yet ready for war, the first sea lord has admitted.
General Sir Gwyn Jenkins has said that the Royal Navy has “work to do” to be ready for war, amid criticism from the United States for not sending ships in support of its war in Iran.
Speaking to Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet on Monday, he said: “According to the defence investigation that was completed last year, I will be ready for war by the end of this decade.”
When asked to clarify if this meant the navy was not “ready for war” at present, he confirmed he did not think the navy was.
“I would say that we can conduct advanced operations right now, and if we were told to go to war, of course, we would. That is my military duty,” Sir Gwyn said. “But are we as ready as we should be? I don’t think we are. We have work to do, and I am completely dedicated to the mission.”
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth attacked the “big, bad Royal Navy” on Tuesday for not sending vessels to help the US as part of Operation Epic Fury, the American-Israeli conflict in Iran.
While neighbouring Gulf states have sustained drone and missile strikes from Iran, the conflict has sent shockwaves through the market as the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps remains in control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime trade route, which has sent the price of oil sky high.
President Donald Trump took aim at the UK on Tuesday, calling on Britain to either buy jet fuel from the US or take it straight from the Strait of Hormuz.
He wrote in a frenzied post on Truth Social: “All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.
“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! President DJT.”
Sir Gwyn told the Swedish newspaper that it isn’t just the UK that is not ready for war – other Nato allies were also lagging in the race to be war-ready at such a combative time.
“I also see that among our allies in Nato. I am not trying to scare people and together we have incredible resources,” the military chief added.
Nato allies committed to a new target of investing 5 per cent of GDP annually on defence and security by 2035 at the summit in December, including at least 3.5 per cent for core military requirements and 1.5 per cent for related security, such as cybersecurity and defence industry investments, upgrading from the previous 2 per cent target.
All 32 alliance members met the 2 per cent expenditure target last year, according to a report from Nato last Thursday, with Europe and Canada raising their defence expenditure.
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