Australian hope for axed UK sailors

Royal Navy sailors who face losing their jobs could be signed up to serve in Australia.

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is planning to recruit some of the 5,000 people set to be made redundant as part of defence cuts.

The Ministry of Defence has said it “makes sense” for sailors to use their skills in a similar role when they leave the Royal Navy. A delegation from the RAN has now been sent to the UK to look into the plan.

An MoD spokeswoman said: “Sailors in the Royal Navy are among the best and most highly-trained in the world.

“It makes sense for those leaving to use the skills they have gained during their career in their future employment – whether that is for another country’s naval service or any other sector.”

An Australian military spokesman said: “We have been closely consulting with the Royal Navy on options for RN personnel affected by the downsizing.”