This video serves only to confirm to me the dismal state of affairs in the RN.

Successive governments have ignored the reality of potential enemies arming themselves to the teeth, waiting for the chance to 'have a go' at the UK. They have all been seduced by the 'Cold War dividend' taking it to mean there is no longer a threat to our liberty, therefore public money is better spent on 'benefits' than arms.

Other branches of the UK's defences are in a similar depleted state.

What sets the RN apart from its 'sister' services is the disproportionate costs of its major systems. The nuclear deterent is top of this list, followed closely by two over-size and expensive-to -run aircraft carriers.

The recent conduct of Russia has confirmed beyond doubt the need for a nuclear deterent, but has also shown that giant aircraft carriers are out of place in the RN. It'll take a political party with bigger balls than any of our current lot have to sort things out.

I think we should dispose of the QE class and acquire carriers the size of the current Japanese ones and also stop 'putting all our eggs in one basket' with ultra-sophisticated destroyers like the Type 45. Acquire more, smaller escorts armed for future was scenarios (drone and anti-drone vessels) with sub-sea as well as air capable weapons.

As a radical rethink of our own interests, I think we should consider partnering with the French to develop a new generation of sub-launched ICBMs and VTOL stealth aircraft for the carriers.

Whilst we no longer have the capability to send a task group to 'retake the Falklands' - it should be noted we do have a more capable, armed defence based in the islands than we had in 1982.

(It's not possible to discuss the resourcing of armed forces without recognising the political dimension that this involves. I believe my points above are neither provocative nor inappropriate for this Board.)