Britannia rules the waves again: Boris Johnson's £16bn defence splurge will make UK 'greatest naval power in Europe' once more

 Britain will become Europe's greatest naval power again after a £16.5billion boost to defence spending, Boris Johnson vowed yesterday.

The Prime Minister said he would 'restore Britain's position' as the ruler of the waves rather than allow the UK to 'curl up in our island and leave the task to our friends'.

Billions of pounds of the extra defence cash would go towards the next generation of warships, including advanced new Type 32 frigates which will be armed with lasers. 

France has 23 warships, comprising 11 destroyers, 11 frigates and its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle – currently more than the UK.

Billions of pounds of the extra defence cash would go towards the next generation of warships, including advanced new Type 32 frigates which will be armed with lasers

But Royal Navy sources were keen to point out that many of its ships are 'old' and small, adding that with the addition of approximately five new Type 32 frigates, the UK will have 26 warships by the 2030s.

A Navy source said: 'If you look at the list of the French ships, some of those are getting on for 20 years old. This is going to be the most modern fleet in Europe.'

In a speech to the Commons yesterday, Mr Johnson said: 'We shall use our extra defence spending to restore Britain's position as the foremost naval power in Europe, taking forward our plans for eight Type 26 and five Type 31 frigates, and support ships to supply our carriers.

'We are going to develop the next generation of warships, including multi-role research vessels and Type 32 frigates.

'And this will spur a renaissance of British shipbuilding across the UK – in Glasgow and Rosyth, Belfast, Appledore and Birkenhead – guaranteeing jobs and illuminating the benefits of the Union in the white light of the arc welder's torch.'

He added: 'If there was one policy which strengthens the UK in every possible sense, it is building more ships for the Royal Navy.'

Defence spending is to increase by £16.5billion above the Tories' manifesto commitment over four years. 

The Government had already pledged to raise spending by 0.5 per cent above inflation for every year of this parliament. The total amounts to £24.1billion more.

Mr Johnson said both Britain's new aircraft carriers, which cost £6.2billion in total, will be operational in 2023, with HMS Queen Elizabeth heading to the Indian Ocean and East Asia next year.

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