Ancient Mariner

Defence Budget % GDP-Japan 1.4/UK 2.3
JMSDF-4xCVS/LH, 28xSSK, 8xDDG, 42xDD/FFM/DE, 40+Coastguard OPV, 21x MCMV, 5x AOE
RN-2xCVF, 4xSSBN, 5xSSN, 6xDDG, 9xFF, 8xOPV 5xMCMV, 3x AO
Obviously its more than just numbers, but you can't help thinking Japan does a far better job with it.

St Vaast, La Hougue, France 31/3/95
-@RoyalNavy Archer Class (P2000) HMS Dasher (P280)
-Portsmouth 8/4/95
@USNavy Spruance Class destroyer USS Caron (DD970) and Avenger Class MCMVs USS Warrior (MCM10) and USS Gladiator (MCM11)
#ships

Sadly it seems that the odyssey of the current patrol has not yet concluded...

100% this
The malaise is everywhere, whilst the crews pay the price... Just look at the response to the current SSN availability #scandal ...

Note:
-Now 165 days an operational RN SSN was at sea
-Still no news on ordering those critical floating dry docks

After what I believe has been a 210 day patrol. Hopefully with 3 boats seemingly back in the mix, future patrols may be shorter, but with the Dreadnought's a long way from service, I fear more crews will be paying a similiar price for the decision to delay ordering replacements.