It would seem that the Royal Navy will be made up of Dreambaots, under labour thats all we can afford.

david, Helsinki, Finland

There is no need to have expensive nuclear subs any more, next generation diesel subs could have nuclear cruise missiles that would be cheaper to run. Do we really need a replacement for trident when cruise missiles will do? We could have a fleet of 40 diesel subs for the cost of 4 nuclear.

bill , Liverpool, England

How much does this Govt spend through DfID on overseas aid? Perhaps with a Chancellor predicting the worst financial crisis for 60yrs we should be re-allocating this money where it's needed: at home. Then we could keep the RN to fight the increasing threats to UK, and not fund 'Outer Mongolia'.

phil, Frome, UK

Taking into account repairs and breakdowns we could soon have a Royal Navy without any ships! What exactly does the worlds fifth richest nation waste all it's money on? Is the Labour Government just a cover for naive Greenpeace activists? Wake up. It's a nasty and unpredictable world out there.

Chris, London,

This is just the beginning of the "scorched earth" policy that our deluded Gordon is carrying out to destroy the country in advance of his electoral annihilation. Britain has need of a much larger Navy to protect our supplies and deal with the growing threats from Piracy and seaborne terrorism.

Michael, Manchester, Great Britain

Rich Morrall, Walsall, UK - clearly a comment from someone who has not served and has little or no idea of the importance of naval seapower.

Kenneth Armitage, Suffolk, England

If we get rid of the 4 nuclear powered polaris subs and their associated infrastructure, then the navy may have enough money for its carriers and a decent airgroup to equip them. we don't need a nuclear deterrent now - even with russia in its current state.

Rich Morrall, Walsall, UK

This decision is an utter disgrace.

don craigton, wakefield, u.k.

terrorism is the major threat and with 95% of goods exported or imported to britain coming by sea would it not be an idea to ensure we have a navy to protect our waterways. Maybe if Labour reduced the enormous headcount of civil servants at the MOD we could afford kit for fornt line troops???

Andrew Deveney, Falkenham, Suffolk, UK

Oh dear. And the Cold War, now back on the menu as well.

ronnie, bucks, UK

History prooves a week navy leads to weakness alround, britain was made by maritime protection remove this and we are nothing, thats labours plan.

andrew wakeling, London, UK

The madness of King Gordon!

He is simply continuing the decline of the GB's maritime tradition that Healy started in the 70's, Thatcher continued in the 80's and Blair in the 90's.

15 frigates / destroyers will not protect a single new carrier that is to be built, the logic of Labour!

Peter Thomosn, Kirkcudbright, Scotland

why am I not surprised.

The government doing something to harm the long term interests and security of the country.

Come on the election.

James, Ilford, United Kingdom

The most serious threat to Britain is the current Government. 'Joined up thinking' - they couldn't join the dots in a child's colouring book. Still, I expect the MoD's diversity and 'elf n safety officers' are still beavering away - and I wonder if the redecoration of the offices is completed yet.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

The biggest threat comes from within. It's called Nulabour.

Roger, Surrey.,

Our barmy government will spend millions on crackpot ideas but tells the RN that it cannot have any more money - typical of Brown's monetary policies !!!!!!!!!!!

ian payne, WALSALL,

What if there was another Falklands now? You dont get 3 years warning so you can adjust your wasteful budget. Chop out the red tape and sort out the priorities.

Richard, Bangkok, Thailand

Yet another defence budget cut. How dissapointing. The current administration have committed and continues to further commit our armed forces to conflicts across the world. However, in spite of this the government has consistently failed to act in the interests of Britain's servicemen. No fair.

Myles, London, United Kingdom

The government are probably anoyed at how much it costs to fuel the Royal Navy's ships. The next time there's are problem in some far flung dependence, please don't expect the Navy to suddenly be able to transport 10,000 soldiers and send 16 war ships as it did in the Falklands War, in just 2 wks.

Graham Wharton, St. Albans, uk

If the government, in their infinite wisdom, is to downgrade and disarm the services then it is about time they stopped committing our forces to situations they can not police because of the catastrohic lack of supporting hardware. When the services are no more what next ? Ask Russia/China for help?

Pete, Ipswich, UK

How can we support the commonwealth without a strong navy. Labour have squandered trillions of pounds and as always we are left a vulnerable island nation because of an out of control Labour government.

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

Where on earth does the MOD get its strategy advice from? We are a maritime nation with global investments and commitments - that means we need a strong Navy. The Army certainly cannot go anywhere in harm's way in the future without the Navy to get them there, support them and protect them.

Tom Bowling, Maidstone, UK