UK ‘reputation as world power’ diminished without Albions
A former Commander of the Falklands Task Group and the former Captain of HMS Fearless have urged the Government not to scrap the Albion class assault ships.
In a report to the House of Commons Select Defence Committee on the future of HMS
Albion, HMS Bulwark and Royal Marine capabilities, Commodore M. C. Clapp CB, Commander Falklands Amphibious Task Group in 1982; and Rear Admiral E. S. J. Larken DSO, Captain of HMS Fearless, Falklands 1982, and Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Overseas) 1988-90 said the following.
“The ALBION Class vessels are essential for the quick and successful completion of an
amphibious operation, an operation that is often described as the most complicated of all
joint operations (see again Annex A). For the UK’s amphibious command and operations
capability, their continued readiness is vital to the UK’s standing and deterrent capability,
including beyond the NATO geographic area, central to the UK’s ability to deter and to
respond to aggression against its interests and legal responsibilities.
Amphibious resources incorporate at-sea ‘poise’, comprising the ability to function as a
deterrent tool, able to operate on a spectrum anywhere between politically-targeted
precision and creating deterrent uncertainty. They are complementary to strike carrier
resources, with which they can operate either closely or loosely and indirectly. All these
characteristics function again on a spectrum – from high- to low-intensity operations. The
ALBION Class are perfectly configured to command, control and facilitate humanitarian
disaster and civil evacuation situations.
Without these amphibious command ships and a capable landing force involving the highly specialised corps of Royal Marines, the UK’s standing amongst World navies in terms of flexible deterrent capability will be diminished and with it the reputation of the UK as a World Power.”
You can read the full thing here:
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-repu ... t-albions/
