Nick Childs - Britains Future Navy

T he Royal Navy is a unique institution. And it has held a unique fascination as far as I am concerned from an early age. I have never served in it. But I have followed its fortunes closely, and reported on it regularly for pretty much my entire journalistic career. So it was a great opportunity for me when my editor, Philip Sidnell, suggested a book on the Navys future. I was tempted to joke at the time that, the way things are in defence at the moment, it could be quite a short book. Of course, the Royal Navy will endure. But that flippancy reflected the fact that these are particularly turbulent times, and I discovered that this would be a real challenge in terms of bringing this particular project to fruition, and trying to anticipate even the near-term future, let alone beyond. So my first acknowledgement must be to Philips patience. I could also not have even attempted this project without the help of several senior serving members of the Senior Service. Again because of the climate, they would probably prefer that I not mention them by name. But you know who you are. I would, however, like to record my thanks for the support that I received from Commander Gerry Northwood, Royal Navy media and communications, and also thank the ships company of HMS Diamond , who offered me a very tangible glimpse of the future. Thanks also to Commanders Tim Ash and Jonathan Worthington, successively heads of Royal Navy Defence Studies, and to their boss, the Director of the Naval Staff, Commodore Bob Tarrant. In terms of distinguished former naval persons, my thanks to former First Sea Lords Admirals Sir Jonathon Band, Lord West of Spithead, and Sir Jock Slater for their insights, and former Commander in Chief Fleet Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent, who was generous with his time and thoughts. Also, for their broad perspectives or particular expertise, my gratitude to Vice Admirals Sir Jeremy Blackham, John McAnally, Tim McClement, and Anthony Dymock. The always stimulating views of Rear Admiral Chris Parry were also a great help. Captain Peter Hore RN (Retd), a former head of Defence Studies for the Navy, was another who offered generous assistance to a fellow naval author. During the time of this books gestation, I found the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies an immensely valuable arena in which the full spectrum of issues relevant to my musings were aired, and my particular thanks go to the head of the maritime programme there, Dr Lee Willett. In various ways, Professors Eric Grove, Hew Strachan, Gwyn Prins, and Julian Lindley-French helped to shape my thoughts, particularly on some of the strategic themes with which I attempted to grapple. On more technical matters, senior members of the staff of BAE Systems were kind enough to share their perspectives, and I thank Kristina Crowe for facilitating that. My thanks also to fellow journalists Richard Scott and Iain Ballantyne, who helped to keep me up-to-date on the latest Royal Navy developments. And, once again, my gratitude to Philip and Pen and Sword for allowing me this opportunity to write on one of my favourite subjects, and to Richard Doherty for ploughing through my draft manuscript. And, of course, to my wife, Jill, for her patience and support.

Nick Childs