Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK) on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 16 October 2026. It was answered by Luke Pollard (Labour) on Thursday, 22 October 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Warships: Decommissioning

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many warships have been a) taken out of operational service b) sold or c) scrapped in every year since 2010.

Answer

Since 2010, 33 Royal Navy warships have been taken out of operational service. Of these, 8 have been sold, 15 have been recycled and 10 are pending disposal.

As vessels may be withdrawn from service in one year and sold or scrapped in a later year, these categories are not mutually exclusive, and the figures should not be aggregated.

As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, this Government is investing in new frigates, amphibious ships, new submarines and new standardised vessels alongside a new Hybrid Navy of uncrewed and autonomous systems to increase our Navy’s lethality and deterrence.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 34886
Session: 2026-27
Subjects: Decommissioning Sales Warships
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Warships: Decommissioning

Secondary information

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