MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

First Sea Lord warns about Navy cuts.

British Commander in Chief of the Fleet allegedly revived the spectre of the Falkland Islands conflict as a direct result of last month's defence cuts and redeployment of units.

In an article published by the Daily Telegraph Defence correspondent Michael Smith, Sir Alan West is quoted saying that he warned the British government the cuts mean the Royal Navy will have to lose two of its current tasks.

Admiral Sir Alan West, First Sea Lord, said Britain's commitment of a single frigate to NATO's Standing Naval Force Atlantic (north Atlantic) had been withdrawn and "there will have to be another reduction".

The next highest priority task above the commitment to the NATO patrol is in the South Atlantic, he said in an interview with Jane's Navy International. Withdrawing that ship would raise the spectre of the Falklands conflict, which resulted from the Royal Navy's decision to withdraw its presence there.

Admiral West said the Royal Navy needed at least 30 destroyers and frigates but the axing of three Type-42 destroyers and three Type-23 frigates left it with only 25

The article was published August 6.