The Royal Marines would struggle to carry out a "substantial" amphibious landing if proposals to get rid of two specialised ships are approved, say MPs.
Their potential loss – prompted by "short-term Treasury bookkeeping" – would seriously undermine the country's security and could even spell "sunset for the Royal Marines", according to a Commons Defence Committee report.
Two thousand Marines – about 30% – would be culled if the plans are signed off, the MPs say.
HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark are "essential for landing personnel, heavy equipment and supplies on a beach" and "their disposal would remove any prospect of the Armed Forces achieving a successful amphibious landing with a substantial force", says the report.
They can deploy smaller landing craft loaded with equipment and Royal Marines for a coastal assault.
Other ships touted as possible replacements, such as aircraft carriers, are no substitute, it is claimed.
The committee adds: "Every other major defence power is seeking to increase its amphibious capabilities at the very time that the UK may be forced prematurely to abandon them."
The Royal Marines have already seen their numbers drop from 7,020 to 6,580 since 2011.
"Given the disproportionate contribution the Royal Marines make to defence and the sheer range and versatility of their military skills, both they and the country's security would be significantly undermined," the report says.
The leaked proposals are from the National Security Capability Review (NSCR), which the Defence Committee claims has been carried out behind closed doors without adequate input from experts.
It wants to question the National Security Adviser about the proposals – which it calls "drastic and dangerous".
Committee chairman Julian Lewis wants the Government to boost defence spending back to 3% of GDP.
He said he was assured by the defence procurement minister last January that the Albion and the Bulwark would be in service until 2033 and 2034.
The rethink shows "this is being forced on the Ministry of Defence by the Treasury", Mr Lewis said.
But some experts believe the Committee may be wrong to insist on keeping the ships.
More from Royal Navy
Former Royal Navy officer Rear Admiral Chris Parry told Sky News: "They are right that we should preserve as many Royal Marines as we can – they are our primary elite forces and I think we are going to need them in the future.
"I don't think they are right about retaining the amphibious ships at all costs because the future operating environment will change."
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