Internal documents warn that a lack of recruits for the Submarine Service may leave attack submarines and boats carrying the Trident nuclear missile stranded in port.A separate threat comes from a predicted 15 per cent shortfall in engineers by 2015.
One in seven posts for weapons officers at the rank of lieutenant will also be vacant, raising operational questions over the boats equipped with nuclear and cruise missiles.
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Response on the UK MoD blog:
ReplyDeleteRoyal Navy has sufficient submarine manpower
An article in the Telegraph claims that the Royal Navy is 'running out of sailors to man submarines'. This story is based on nuclear safety reports which identify possible future risks.
To ensure that the Royal Navy continues its excellent nuclear safety record, we review the nuclear propulsion programme to identify and manage any possible future risks, of which manning is one.
On this issue, the article does not reflect the full response from a Royal Navy spokesperson which makes clear that the Royal Navy has sufficient manpower for its submarines and is confident that this will remain the case.
The article also claims that some submarines are putting to sea with only 85 per cent of their full complement of personnel. To clarify, the Royal Navy sails submarines fully-manned.
http://www.blogs.mod.uk/defence_news/2012/08/defence-in-the-media-21-august-2012.html