The Royal Navy has traditionally been the mainstay of Britain’s military power on the global stage. It is approaching its 500th anniversary, when Henry VIII established the ‘Navy Royal’ in 1546, a standing maritime force with its own dockyards and secretariat, the Navy Board. As this year’s Strategic Defence Review made clear, it remains vital for the protection of the United Kingdom, the defence of the wider Euro-Atlantic area and Britain’s ability to project power across the globe.

To do that, the Royal Navy has to be strengthened and modernised. On Monday, the First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins – the first Royal Marines officer to serve as professional head of the navy – gave a speech at the International Sea Power Conference in which he announced an ambitious high-tech programme

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