‘Militarily useful’ British vessels drops to 701

According to the ‘UK armed forces equipment and formations 2016‘ report, there were 701 ‘militarily useful’ British vessels at the start of 2016, a reduction of 140 vessels since the same point in 2009.

Militarily useful vessels are defined as vessels that could be requisitioned in appropriate circumstances in support of the UK Armed Forces.

The number of British-registered merchant specialist and fishing vessels has also continued to decrease, falling by 20 to 82 vessels since 31 December 2009. These reductions may be due in part to: a reduction in vessels registered under the British flag or the complete loss of vessels e.g. vessels being scrapped.