The Royal Navy could face a shortage of ship captains after reports revealed a record low number of officers passing command qualifications, raising concerns about whether Britain will have enough qualified commanders to lead its warships and submarines in the coming years.
Submarine Command Course Sees No Passes
According to The Sun, not a single officer passed the Navy's demanding submarine command course, known as Perisher, last year. Only three candidates were selected to attempt the course, with two failing during the simulator stage.
The situation has also raised concerns for the Navy's surface fleet, where fewer than 10 officers reportedly passed the command qualification known as CQ2.
Shortfall in Command-Ready Officers
It is understood that around 35 successful candidates are needed each year to maintain enough officers for command roles at sea. The figures have sparked fears that the Navy could struggle to find enough people to captain its ships if the situation continues.
Sources have suggested that the shortage has not yet affected operations because a number of vessels have either been taken out of service or remain in port undergoing repairs.
Fleet Reductions and Training Concerns
The report also claims that nine warships have been decommissioned since Labour came to power in 2024, with another three potentially facing the same fate. Meanwhile, only three Royal Navy officers have qualified to command submarines since 2024, all through training courses overseas.
Insiders have blamed the low number of successful candidates on a lack of time spent at sea, as well as concerns about morale. Former Perisher instructor Ryan Ramsey told The Sun: "You can do what you want in a simulator and no one is going to die." Another source suggested that commanding a ship was no longer as attractive as it once was, with some vessels spending long periods alongside rather than at sea.
Navy Responds to Concerns
The concerns come as the Royal Navy prepares for major changes to its fleet, including the introduction of new warships and greater use of uncrewed technology. However, the Navy has pushed back against suggestions that it cannot meet its requirements. A Royal Navy spokesperson said: "We continue to generate the high-quality leaders we need for operational commitments."
