2003 cuts to escorts and submarines

The 2003 decisions cut the Type 45 plan from 12 to eight ships, the attack-submarine force from 12 to eight boats, and the Type 23 fleet from 16 to 13, while removing another 1,500 Royal Navy posts. The first steel for HMS Daring was being cut in 2003, with the full six-ship force still ten years from service. The availability estimate treats six destroyers as the minimum for two operational ships, whereas eight usually provide three operational ships and two more available. Mine-countermeasure vessels fell to 16, and three Northern Ireland patrol vessels were removed instead of retained for other patrol duties. Carrier orders slipped to 2008, with construction not to begin before 2009. Three Type 23s and the oldest Type 42s were removed before the new destroyers were ready, adding immediate pressure to the remaining ships. Smaller fleets also removed sea commands and senior NCO posts, narrowing promotion prospects. Voluntary redundancy could then attract skilled personnel who saw better opportunities outside the Navy.