The once formidable Royal Navy of the United Kingdom has lost much of the power that once defined it. Today it operates with the smallest number of ships and personnel in its history, according to a report published by the French newspaper Le Figaro.

The article notes that after the United States launched military operations against Iran, London did not dispatch a single warship to the Eastern Mediterranean to reinforce air defense in the region. The absence of a British naval presence reportedly caused dissatisfaction both in Cyprus and among NATO allies in the Persian Gulf.

Experts cited by the publication say that preparing even one Royal Navy vessel for deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean could take at least two weeks. The destroyer HMS Dragon remains in dock in Portsmouth, while both British aircraft carriers — HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales — are currently undergoing maintenance. Of the five nuclear submarines of the Astute class, only one is considered ready for operational tasks.

Military analyst and former defense attaché in Afghanistan, Simon Diggins, says that operations outside preplanned missions now pose serious challenges for the British armed forces. Against this backdrop, U. S. President Donald Trump has already expressed dissatisfaction with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, reportedly noting that France and Germany have proven more reliable allies.

In response, Starmer announced the deployment of four Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar, along with AgustaWestland Wildcat helicopters equipped with anti-drone systems sent to Cyprus. According to the British prime minister, over the past two months London has moved aircraft, air defense assets, and counter-drone equipment to the region. Despite these measures, allies including Cyprus, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates have expressed disappointment with Britain’s response.

Le Figaro also highlights the broader decline in Britain’s military capacity. The size of the British army now stands at about 70,000 personnel, the lowest level since the Napoleonic Wars. Since 2010, the number of Royal Navy frigates and destroyers has fallen from 24 to 13. At the same time, military officials report a defense budget shortfall of roughly £28 billion.

Air Marshal Richard Knight previously warned the parliamentary defense committee that the country’s armed forces are currently not prepared for a large-scale war. Although London plans to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and 3.5% by 2035, the real capabilities of the British army and navy remain limited. As Le Figaro concludes, this situation has significantly weakened Britain’s international standing.