[steeljack]

wouldn't worry to much about the Royal Navy , all they seem good for these days is handing out halal meals and ciggies to Somali pirates before releasing them and making sure all ratings have enough batteries for their IPods so they don't cry. Think I also read somewhere today that the RN has signed a "time share' contract with the Frence for the operation of an Aircraft Carrier ...... but you have to remember you are Europeans now

re .... protecting the 'valuable sea lanes' , one thing you can be sure of is that the Chinese Navy will keep them open, otherwise where will they sell all the cheap goods (that have destroyed millions of UK manufacturing jobs) that Britain has fallen in love with