Kemi Badenoch has urged ministers to fast-track a new fleet of frigates using the cash saved from Labour's failed Chagos Islands giveaway. The Tory leader said ministers should formally abandon the Chagos deal, which has been blocked by Donald Trump – and use the savings to shore up Britain's creaking defences.
Under new Conservative proposals, £400 million would be freed up immediately to accelerate the production of a new fleet of frigates, with some able to come into service two years earlier, plugging a gap in Britain's defences.
Badenoch's statement on national security
Mrs Badenoch said: 'National security is the number one priority of any Government. Yet, whether it's making a man with links to Russia, China and the world's most notorious paedophile our Ambassador in Washington, failing to properly fund our armed forces, or giving away British territory in the Chagos Islands, Keir Starmer continually puts our national security at risk.'
'The Conservatives are calling on Labour to ditch their disgraceful Chagos surrender plan, and use the money now to fund the rapid delivery of the new naval ships we need to safeguard our country.'
Current frigate orders and timelines
Eight advanced Type 26 frigates and five general purpose Type 31 models were ordered by the last Conservative government. But, on current timelines they will not start to come into service until 2028 at the earliest. Following talks with industry, the Conservatives believe that delivery timelines could be cut by months or even years by laying on round-the-clock shifts.
HMS Glasgow is under construction at the Govan shipyard in Glasgow. The new Type 26 frigate is not due to come into service until at least 2028.
Shadow defence secretary's comments
Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: 'Instead of spending money to cede sovereignty, Labour should be investing in our Armed Forces.'
'Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has exposed serious weaknesses in our Navy which is only getting worse as the Government continues to delay the critical Defence Investment Plan.'
'That is why the Conservatives have a plan to redirect the funds earmarked for the Chagos handover into accelerating the construction of new frigates for the Royal Navy, the 13 ships we ordered in government.'
Details of the Chagos deal
The controversial Chagos deal would see Britain hand the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius and pay to lease back Diego Garcia, the site of a crucial UK-US military base. Ministers agreed to pay Mauritius up to £35 billion over the next century, including £670 million over the next three years. But the deal has been put on ice because of opposition from Donald Trump.
The Conservatives have already suggested using £250 million of the funding to boost investment in drones. The new plan would involve spending a further £400 million to accelerate the frigate programme.
Proposed acceleration of frigate delivery
Under the Tory proposals, the introduction of the five Type 31s could be brought forward by two years to 2028. The eight Type 26s could start entering service next year, 12 months early. The Tories are also examining plans to reduce the length of time taken for sea trials, which can delay deployment for up to two years – an idea floated this week by First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins.
Accelerating the programme would help fill gaps that have left the Navy struggling to meet commitments in recent months, including the delayed deployment of HMS Diamond to Cyprus following the outbreak of the Iran war.
Concerns over fleet size
The Mail revealed last week that the size of the new frigate fleet could be slashed to save money. Ministers have refused to confirm whether the Type 26 order will go ahead in full following a deal to sell two of the construction slots to Norway.
In a written answer slipped out to MPs, defence minister Luke Pollard said the full complement had 'yet to be made up through additional orders' with a final decision due in the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan. The move suggests that the total bought for the Royal Navy could be cut from eight to six, despite widespread concern about the ability of a diminished British fleet to meet the demands of a more dangerous world.
