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World|politics|April 16, 2014 / 03:34 PM
Scottish independence would damage British Navy capabilities – official

AKIPRESS.COM - scotland-flag A senior British navy official said Scotland's independence would damage the capabilities of the British Royal Navy, weakening the strength and appeal of its maritime forces, New Europe reported.

“I believe that independence would fundamentally change maritime security for all of us in the United Kingdom and damage the very heart of the capabilities that are made up of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the Fleet Air Arm,” George Zambellas, First Sea Lord and professional head of the British Navy, wrote in an article published by The Daily Telegraph Tuesday.

Recalling Scottish contributions in the British navy during the past centuries, Zambellas said an independent Scotland “would no longer have access of right to the security contribution of one of the finest and most efficient navies in the world.”

The British Royal Navy has 16 ships and submarines and two Royal Marine Commando units based in Scotland, with 3,250 sailors and marines serving in the region, the official said, adding that “Scotland is as vital today to the Royal Navy as ever it was.”

“An independent Scotland's claim on the Royal Navy would greatly weaken the carefully evolved whole, as bases, infrastructure, procurement, spares, personnel and training face a carve-up,” he continued. “The effectiveness of the Royal Navy following separation would weaken the security of both nations.”

The official said that Britain's maritime forces “cannot be subdivided meaningfully,” adding that the British navy belongs to the “whole” of Britain and is “stronger together.”

With fewer than 200 days to go before the Scottish independence referendum on September 18 this year, London and Edinburgh have been wrangling to win supporters for their respective agendas over Scotland's future.

The Scottish government has been campaigning for Scotland's independence which it says can create a “more democratic, more prosperous and fairer” society for Scotland.

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