Royal Navy 'not as ready for war as it should be', says First Sea Lord
The First Sea Lord has admitted Britain’s Royal Navy is not ready for war.
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Speaking just hours after the US Secretary of War slammed Britain’s response to the Iran war, Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins said the Navy has “work to do” before it is ready for combat.
It comes amid calls from armed forces leaders to up defence spending in the wake of the US and Israel’s war in the Middle East.
Donald Trump slammed Britain’s response to the war yesterday, saying the country should “get their own oil” from the Strait of Hormuz.
The US Secretary of War echoed these criticisms, questioning where the “big bad Royal Navy” was in the US’ faltering war in the Middle East.
General Sir Gwyn said that the Navy would still fight if it had to.
“If we were told to go to war, of course we would,” he told Swedish outlet Svenska Dagbladet
“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.”
Posting to his social media on Tuesday, the US President appeared to hit out at the Prime Minister, insisting it was time for the UK to police the Strait themselves, adding it should "just take" the fuel it needed from Iran.
The explosive comments saw the US President insist the UK should "build up some delayed courage" and "go to the Strait".
Echoing the President's comments, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was also seen to hit out at the UK during a press conference on Tuesday, insisting the Strait of Hormuz was not just the responsibility of the US, adding "there’s supposed to be a big bad Royal Navy".
In the latest sign that his Middle East campaign has severely damaged the long-standing 'special relationship' between the two nations.