SCOTS shipyards are facing "feast or famine" due to a collapse in orders from the Royal Navy, a Labour MSP has warned.
Paul Sweeney said 2024 was an "unprecedented" year for the Senior Service as no new ships were ordered and none were commissioned - while nine were ruled surplus to requirements.
The MSP, convener of Holyrood's cross-party group on shipbuilding, said the Navy faced "continuing decline" at a time of rising threats from overseas powers like Russia.
Sweeney said there was a need to speed up the process in which new ships were designed, ordered and commissioned into service.
He told the Record: "The continuing decline of the Navy is deeply concerning as the naval threats we face grow daily.
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