RN is still getting over stretched IMHO with only 7 SSNs, no spare destroyers and only a few spare frigates. Why not at least keep the 4 3rd generation SSNs, surely after the refit they could do some of the less taxing duties?

I mean even though only 6 3rd generation non strategic nuclear boats are available to Russian Navy as of the 1st of this month, we still have 6 in mid life repair/refit/upgrade and 6 in routine maintenance (plus SSKs, Severodvinsk and 2 available Victor-IVs) and plan to keep 10 or more of those 3rd gen subs past till at least 2020.

It all comes down to money and who controls the purse strings.

The most powerful person in British politics isn't the Prime Minister, it's the Chancellor of the Exchequer (currently George Osborne MP). The Treasury is also the most powerful government department as it allocates the money that the other departments spend.

It all depends on what the Chancellor and the Treasury consider to be financially viable, not the House of Commons, the public or even the Ministry of Defence.

Mike.