The Decline of the Royal Navy: Personnel Shortage Prompts LinkedIn Recruitment, Forcing Decommissioning of 2 Escort Frigates and Royal Marines' Landing Ships

Due to an apparent lack of candidates for the position, the British Royal Navy has posted a job opening for candidates to serve as Rear Admiral and Submarine Director through the LinkedIn social network. Rear Admiral Simon Asquith currently holds the role of Submarine Director in the Royal Navy, serving since April 2022, but there is speculation that he might soon be transferred to different duties. This possible transfer is believed to be the reason for the search for his replacement.

Although the Royal Navy has previously used social media, especially LinkedIn, for recruiting specialists in different fields, it's noteworthy that they're using this platform to seek candidates for such an important position, even with the requirement that applicants must have served in the regular forces or be a reservist.

The Submarine Director is responsible for various critical aspects and programs, including the Dreadnought program, which replaces the four nuclear-powered ballistic submarines of the Vanguard class, and overseeing the seven Astute-class nuclear attack submarines. In addition, involvement in the AUKUS alliance with Australia is also part of the duties associated with this role.

The original post specifies: "The Royal Navy is recruiting a Submarine Director, responsible for highly classified stealth, elite operations, and Trident, our nuclear deterrence force. Candidates must be members of the reserves or have served in the regular forces. Do you know someone who is prepared?"

Several media outlets report a recruitment crisis in the UK Armed Forces, particularly in the Royal Navy. This, along with questions about this branch's capability to find replacements for important positions, appears to be the reason for the LinkedIn posting. The recruitment issue has reached new levels recently with the confirmation that two Type 23 frigates will be decommissioned for these reasons.

During 2024, the British Royal Navy is expected to decommission two of its Type 23 frigates. This drastic decision comes amid a personnel shortage crisis, which has persisted over the past few years and directly affects the availability of the UK Armed Forces to fulfill their operational obligations.

According to 'The Telegraph,' quoting sources from the Ministry of Defence, the decommissioning of the Type 23 frigates is due to a necessary reallocation of resources. It is anticipated that the personnel involved in this decision will be assigned to the initial stages of training to crew the Type 26 frigates.

The vessels to be decommissioned are the HMS Westminster and HMS Argyll. Both units have undergone various maintenance and modernization works in recent years, which has prompted criticism for the decision to decommission them given the investment made.

In the case of the HMS Argyll, it is one of the oldest frigates in the Royal Navy, having entered service in 1991. The recent works on the ship were part of the LIFEX program (Post-life Extension Program), intended to extend the life of Type 23 frigates. The program includes a review of the hull and structure of the frigates, along with design changes to include new capabilities. Due to the vessel's age, the works carried out on the HMS Argyll were not as extensive.

Additionally, the HMS Westminster was also undergoing maintenance, refurbishment, and modernization under the LIVEX program. However, in mid-2023, it was reported that the initiative would be put on hold due to the vessel's wear and condition.

Although the Royal Navy had already established a replacement schedule for both frigates, the decision to expedite their retirement will directly impact the escort fleet, a force already facing a complicated situation due to the low availability of some units for technical reasons.

The first of the new Type 26 frigates, HMS Glasgow, is only expected to be available in 2028, with the second unit being incorporated toward the end of the decade, provided the program progresses without significant issues.

A Ministry of Defence source justified to 'The Telegraph' the decision to decommission the HMS Westminster and HMS Argyll, stating it "will allow the Royal Navy to update itself to become a modern, high-tech combat force."

The shortage of personnel in the British Armed Forces, particularly the Royal Navy, is exposed by the decline in recruitment during 2023. "Recruitment for the Navy and Royal Marines fell by 22.1% compared to the previous year, while that of the RAF dropped by almost 17% and the Army by nearly 15%... Despite the government planning to reduce the size of the Armed Forces, recruitment figures continue to fall well below the target," according to 'The Telegraph.'

The cutbacks would not only be limited to the escort force but would also affect the amphibious force. According to 'The Times,' the Ministry of Defence was considering decommissioning the amphibious ships HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion to free up personnel. The decommissioning of these units would leave the Royal Marines without one of their main naval means, a situation that will undoubtedly be analyzed in depth given the current international context, with conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and the Red Sea far from being resolved. This is compounded by the UK's strategy to maintain its presence in strategic regions such as the Indo-Pacific and the South Atlantic.