A Whitehall official, granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, acknowledged “an increasing demand on defense that spreads far beyond the Middle East,” but insisted that the Ministry of Defence is able to focus on both theaters at the same time.
British naval capabilities have also come under scrutiny following the return of minehunter HMS Middleton from Bahrain just as strikes on Iran began, and the U.K.’s ambitions to lead efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The Navy’s resources have been steadily depleted over decades, with the number of warships and frigates falling steadily since 1945 to just 13 last year.
Successive governments have failed to invest in the maritime forces, leading to older platforms remaining in service for longer, orders for new platforms being delayed, and a downgrade in maintenance due to cuts.
The Navy also faces problems with recruitment, meaning that even if more ships were available, there would not necessarily be enough personnel to operate them.
Keir Starmer has blamed the Conservatives for “hollowing out” the armed forces while in government, and hopes to reverse the trend by building 13 new frigates, three new support ships, and new ballistic missile submarines.
Chris Lunday contributed to this report.