The Royal Navy’s top sailor says the nation must better understand the importance of the sea – especially as plans to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Trafalgar take shape.

First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West said it was time for the criticism which has been chipping away at the RN to die down – and people should recognise that Britain had the second most potent Fleet in the world, surpassed only by the Americans.

He also committed the Navy to a fleet gathering in the Solent in the summer of 2005, which will be attended by more nations than at any previous fleet review.

The admiral said that new ships coming into service, such as amphibious assault ship HMS Albion, plus future vessels such as the new carriers, Type 45 destroyers and RFA Bay class, would give the Navy “a step change in capability.”

Speaking in London aboard frigate HMS Northumberland, Admiral West said with the 200th anniversary commemorations of Trafalgar next year, it was time people appreciated the importance of the Navy and the sea in everyday life in Britain.

“I find it disappointing how our island nation has forgotten how important the sea is. In fact, I’m amazed,” he said.

“We are one of the great trading nations at sea still – 95 per cent of imports and exports move by sea, and the maritime industry contributes £37bn to the nation’s economy.”

People should remember that few navies around the world could have achieved what the Royal Navy had done in the past 12 months, he added.

“I believe we are the second most powerful navy in the world, and I believe that sailor for sailor we have the best Navy in the world.

“In technological terms, I cannot think of any nation which can stand up to us and the United States in a ‘hot war’. The operations in the Gulf last year were a classic of their kind.

“I know what it is like to lose friends from my experiences in the Falklands. But let us not forget that last year’s operation was something Britain should be proud of.”

A key component in that sense of maritime pride will be next year’s events marking the anniversary of Trafalgar – one highlight of which will be a Fleet Review at Spithead, followed by an International Festival of the Sea in Portsmouth Harbour.

“There will be a Fleet review in 2005, and many other events,” said Admiral West. “In terms of the nations involved, the Review will be the largest there has been.”

Turning to new ships and impending arrivals, the First Sea Lord said the RN’s future Fleet looked “very exciting”.

“HMS Albion is a magnificent ship, which has brought about a step-change in capability,” he said.

“The Type 45 destroyer will be the world’s best anti-air warfare ship. As for the future carriers, I would guess they will be about 55,000 tons. Their flight decks will be twice the size of the old Ark Royal.”

There had been delays with new vessels, such as hunter-killer Astute-class submarines and the Bay Class amphibious ships. But those problems were now in hand, and difficulties with new survey ships HMS Echo and Enterprise were nowhere near as bad as some of the media had portrayed. Echo sailed on her maiden deployment to the Gulf on January 16.

“We’ve had problems with these ships, but they will provide a class of surveying the RN has not seen before,” said Admiral West.

He said there had been intense speculation about cuts to the existing and future fleet, but as far as he was concerned he would fight the Navy’s corner to ensure that the public and the RN got the best deal possible.

“When push comes to shove, there have to be priorities. We have got to get the best deal we can,” he said.

“Being military minded, I will take every penny the Government gives me,” he added.

The Admiral also took the opportunity to set the seal on a century of Anglo-French co-operation at sea in the company of the French Defence Attache and a yachting hero.

Rear Admiral Jean-Pierre Tiffou and Ellen MacArthur joined Admiral West to celebrate 100 years of close ties between the two navies, which for centuries had been sworn enemies.

One century on from the Entente Cordiale, the two navies are committed to operating ever closer around the globe – symbolised by destroyer HMS Gloucester escorting the French nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle on a deployment to the Middle East and beyond this month.

The carrier will return the compliment in the summer when she makes her first visit to Portsmouth, while Type 23 frigate HMS Norfolk will represent the Royal Navy at the international maritime event in Brest.

“For centuries the relationship between our two countries has not been as good as we might have liked,” said Admiral West.

“But today French and British naval co-operation has never been stronger. There is so much which links us.”

Admiral Tiffou said: “We should not so much celebrate the past in marking the Entente, but ensure the people of the two nations come to know each other better.”

As part of that greater understanding, a combined Anglo-French Naval escort will be assembled for one of the yachting world’s top events.

The Transat – or Transatlantic – single-handed race will see the cream of the sailing community head from Plymouth on May 31, bound for Boston, USA.

Ellen MacArthur said the escort from British and French warships would be a fitting send-off for the racers.

“The start of a trans-oceanic race is always a great spectacle, but having both the French and British navies there will really add to the spectacle,” she added.