Type 83 crewing depends on more than shipboard automation

If Britain builds more Type 83s, how can the Royal Navy crew them while births fall and automation has limits?

Automation can reduce crew demand, but demographic and family policy will also affect the future recruiting pool.

Automation can reduce crew requirements, but it cannot remove people from every naval role. A shrinking population would narrow the future recruiting pool. Governments worried about demographics are expected to revisit the cost of raising children and the benefits available to families. Naval manpower is therefore tied to national population and economic policy, though the policy forecast remains uncertain.