Labour has been accused of "wasting taxpayers' cash" after the MoD confirmed it had entered discussions with Brazil over the potential sale of two Royal Navy warships.
"We can confirm we have entered discussions with the Brazilian Navy over the potential sale of HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion," a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.
News of the possible sale was first revealed in Latin American media, with reports suggesting the Royal Navy and Brazilian Navy had signed an agreement to share information on the ships' condition.
HMS Albion
PA
Both ships entered service around 20 years ago following a but are currently held at lower readiness with HMS Albion last at sea in 2023, and HMS Bulwark not having been to sea since 2017.
"Neither were planned to go back to sea before their out-of-service dates in the 2030s," the Ministry of Defence spokesman added.
Defence Minister Maria Eagle admitted £132.7million had gone on refits to HMS Albion and Bulwark since 2010, with a further refit of HMS Bulwark, estimated at another £72.1million, being reviewed as the ship was retired before completion.
Responding to reports of the potential sale, Reform UK MP Lee Anderson accused the Government of "weakening Britain".
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The potential sale of HMS Bulwark (pictured) and HMS Albion comes despite the Government's pledge to increase defence spendingPAHe told GB News: "Labour claims to be increasing defence spending, yet they are willing to sell £1.6billion worth of warships for just £20million, weakening Britain's armed forces and wasting taxpayers' money.
"Labour's record speaks for itself: no border security, minimal deportations, prison overcrowding, and reckless spending."
"They are not the party of national security, nor are they acting in the best interests of Great Britain.
"Reform UK will prioritise defence, border security, and public safety because protecting our nation must come first."
Reform MP Lee Anderson told GB News Labour was 'weakening Britain's armed forces and wasting taxpayers' money'
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HMS Bulwark (pictured) and HMS Albion will be decommissioned as part of a series of money-saving cuts
PADefence experts have also expressed concern over the sale, highlighting the pressure on the defence budget despite Government promises to boost expenditure.
Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, said the plan demonstrates "there is still life in both these ships".
"The fact that the UK is prepared to sell off useful amphibious capability - which could be used in evacuation operations or other cases where air transport is difficult - shows just how tight finances are," he said.
Savill noted that Brazil "will probably have greater amphibious capacity than the UK, having previously bought HMS Ocean, the UK's helicopter assault ship" in 2018.
Replacements for these ships won't be available until the 2030s.
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge appeared to question the wisdom of the move on social media.
"At Defence orals [House of Commons questions] on January 6th Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion were not genuine capabilities'," Mr Cartlidge wrote.
"They've just been sold to Brazil."
