Navy chiefs are pushing to accelerate the delivery of new warships to replace "rotting" and "unseaworthy" vessels, with Scottish ship workers likely to be asked to carry out double shifts to step up production of five Type 31 frigates.
The Type 23 frigates being replaced were designed for an 18-year life but have been extended to serve beyond 30 years. Robert Clark, of the 878 Research think tank, said they were "rotting and cannot be kept seaworthy".
Type 23 frigate withdrawn from service
HMS Iron Duke, a Type 23 frigate, was withdrawn from active service in May, three years after a £103m refit. Industry insiders also said that two more of the five remaining Type 23s will "almost certainly have to be declared unseaworthy in the next few months".
In addition to the Type 31s, the navy is also building eight Type 26 frigates, with the first three delivered by 2030. The move comes after ministers told the industry to shift towards a wartime footing.
Babcock workers face longer hours
Babcock employees currently work eight hours a day after their overtime shifts were cut to plug a £28billion hole in funding. A naval source said the proposals were being considered.
James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary, has "strongly endorsed" the naval plans and has been pushing for the early delivery of ships. He said: "We believe round-the-clock shifts and contingent labour to accelerate the build of the 12 new ships... is the only realistic way of closing the frigate gap."
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said: "We continue to work closely with Babcock to maximise delivery performance within the contract."
Wartime footing amid global tensions
It comes amid rising fears over the potential outbreak of World War Three. The UK government has urged Brits to assemble a three-day survival kit, while the US Pentagon is reportedly drawing up a "doomsday plan" dubbed FORTRESS that could keep American military installations operational, should external support be severed.
Donald Trump's alleged proposals to escalate conflict with Iran have also been labelled "devastating" by insiders, while a senior UK Army chief warned this month that Brits should "prepare".
Historian and author Dr David Swift has shared his thoughts on one particular location in Scotland that should be avoided if global conflict breaks out – the River Clyde.
