LONDON, May 12 (UPI) -- A British admiral says the Royal Navy is preparing to cut drastically the number of vessels in its fleet, the Times of London reported Wednesday.
Sir Alan West, an admiral and the First Sea Lord, said the British navy was preparing to ax as much as a fifth of its frigates and destroyers.
Specifically, he said the Navy was considering the loss of three Type 42 destroyers and several Type 23 frigates, costing hundreds of sailors' jobs.
"There'll be a hit on the destroyer-frigate force," West said.
He agreed that "ruthless" decisions would have to be made because of cash restrictions but also expressed concern that the cuts be made with great care.
"We've got to make sure that what we end up with is the right balance of capabilities, but we'll have to take cuts in areas of less importance," he said. "The more we squeeze, the more difficult it will become."
No political decisions have yet been taken, but Geoff Hoon, the Defence Secretary, is expected to announce the cuts in July, he said.
