The UK government has announced plans to save £500 million by scrapping older military equipment ahead of schedule, despite growing concerns over increasing global threats. Defence Secretary John Healey revealed that ships, drones, and helicopters—some more than 50 years old—will be scrapped as part of a broader effort to implement the strategic defence review, which is due to report next year.
The equipment being retired includes:
- Two amphibious assault ships, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark
- A Type 23 frigate, HMS Northumberland
- Two tankers, RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler
- Watchkeeper WK450 Mk1 drones
- Fourteen CH-47 Chinook helicopters, the oldest in use by the UK
- Seventeen Puma helicopters, first introduced over 50 years ago
While the government claims these assets were underused and costly to maintain, critics warn that scrapping them will weaken the UK’s defence at a time of escalating international tensions. The amphibious assault ships, for example, have been held at lower readiness levels and were not expected to go to sea again before their planned retirement. However, their scrapping leaves the UK without any operational amphibious assault ships until their replacements, new Type 26 frigates and multi-role support ships, are introduced—though this will not happen for several years.
Similarly, the Chinook and Puma helicopters, some of which have been in service for decades, will be replaced by newer models in 2026 and 2027. Critics argue that this gap in helicopter capability could leave the Royal Air Force with fewer assets for several years.
The Watchkeeper drones, which have been in service for 14 years, will also be decommissioned, but no replacement has been announced. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) notes that drone technology has advanced rapidly, particularly during the conflict in Ukraine.
Healey acknowledged that these cuts come at a time of heightened global instability, including ongoing war in Europe, Russian aggression, and conflicts in the Middle East, as well as rapid advancements in military technology. He warned that further cuts might be necessary but emphasized that he had the backing of armed forces chiefs for the decisions.
Experts suggest that these cuts reflect severe financial pressures within the MOD. While some of the retired equipment was nearing the end of its service life or had low readiness, the decision to cut them could signal broader resource constraints.
Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, said, “The fact that defence either can’t crew them, or is prepared to cut them for modest savings, is an indication of just how tight resources must be in the MOD.”
Despite the controversy, the MOD believes the savings will contribute to a more efficient and financially sustainable military in the long run. Healey emphasized that all affected personnel would be redeployed or retrained, and the savings would be reinvested into defence.
Opposition figures, such as shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge, argue that scrapping the ships, particularly HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, is shortsighted and leaves the UK ill-prepared for future conflicts. However, Chief of the General Staff Gen Sir Roly Walker and Chief of the Defence Staff Adm Sir Tony Radakin defended the cuts, stating that transitioning to newer technologies and capabilities is essential to keeping the military competitive and financially viable.
