CUTBACKS mean the Navy will increasingly struggle to meet important tasks such as drugs patrols and escort duties, it has been warned.

While praising the role of the Royal Navy in the Libya operation, which involved a number of Devonport-based vessels, the Commons Defence Select Committee pointed out it meant a number of key maritime commitments were not able to be carried out.

And the cross-party group said this type of 'risk-taking' was likely to happen more often as military cuts begin to bite.

The committee detailed the significant contribution made by the Navy to the international military intervention in Libya, which led to the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.

This included the role of the Type 22 frigate HMS Cumberland in evacuating hundreds of British and foreign nationals from Benghazi. At one point up to five Apache attack helicopters were operating from HMS Ocean, and HMS Triumph, the Trafalgar-class submarine, had fired Tomahawk cruise missiles.

But the select committee pointed out the Royal Navy had had to drop important tasks – such as counter-drugs operations and escort duties – because of its Libya commitments.

And the MPs said the mission, codenamed Operation Ellamy, was carried out before key defence cuts in the Government's Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) had been implemented.

In addition to thousands of job losses, all four of Plymouth's Type 22 frigates have been scrapped, including HMS Cumberland, one of Devonport's amphibious assault ships mothballed, and the aircraft carrier Ark Royal and fleet of Harrier jets scrapped in a drive to plug a £38 billion black hole in the defence budget.

The committee's report stated: "Given the continued high levels of standing maritime commitments it is likely that this type of risk taking will occur more frequently as the outcomes of the SDSR are implemented."

This would present "a significant challenge" for the Navy and the Ministry of Defence. It comes amid heightened tensions in the South Atlantic ahead of the 30-year anniversary of the Falklands conflict, and questions raised over the UKs ability to defend the Islands given the military cutbacks.

Alison Seabeck, Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View and Shadow Defence Minister, said: "It is clear that the Navy pulled all the stops out to support the air component of the Libyan operation and of course were heavily involved in the evacuation of largely foreign nationals.

"Having spoken recently to some of the Apache pilots they praised the working relationship they had with the Royal Navy. However, the report flags up what Labour have been saying: that the cuts being made in the SDSR had been made too fast and that, as the report highlights, this leaves gaps in the UK's capability.

"Vessels due to be scrapped were pulled back into urgent service and we also know that the ability of helicopter command to fly off HMS Ocean filled a gap left by the loss of the aircraft carrier.

"The lessons that this report highlights deserves careful consideration alongside what we want and need the UK armed forces and the navy to do in the decades ahead."

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond claimed the Libyan operation had shown the UK still had the ability to project military power around the world.

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