A former Royal Navy commander has expressed skepticism about Reform UK’s plan to deploy naval forces to address small boat crossings in the English Channel. Tom Sharpe argues that the shrinking navy is already overstretched with global commitments, questioning the effectiveness of this approach compared to the existing Border Force operations. He believes that before involving the Navy, the government must reconsider current policies regarding the interception and return of migrant boats.
Sharpe warns that implementing such a plan would require recalling ships from international duties, which could compromise other military priorities, such as protecting critical national infrastructure. He highlighted that the Royal Navy’s capabilities are diminishing, particularly with the planned early retirement of key patrol vessels that could be suited for this task.
The proposal, dubbed Operation Fortress, aims to intercept and return all small boats within two weeks of a Reform government taking office. However, Sharpe cautions that the practicalities of intercepting boats at sea could lead to dangerous situations, especially in busy shipping lanes at night.
Additionally, France has already rejected the proposal, citing potential violations of French sovereignty and maritime law. This rejection underscores the complexities of the migrant crisis and the challenges any new policy would face in effectively managing it.
Source: GB News
