THE Government is considering privatising the Royal Fleet Auxiliary under plans to cut costs, union leaders have claimed.

The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union pledged to fight any decision to sell off the RFA, which has 16 ships supplying food, fuel and ammunition to the naval fleet.

The union said the move is being considered because of Treasury demands for a 10% cut in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) budget. It would affect more than 2,000 workers.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “RMT will mobilise a political and public campaign on a massive scale to fight off any moves to privatise the RFA.

“There is no doubt there will be an angry backlash against any attempt to compromise national security by embarking on a cash-led sell-off of this essential lifeline to our naval crews all around the globe.”

National officer Steve Todd said: “Thousands of skilled merchant seafarers, serving the Royal Navy in war zones around the world and here at home, face the possibility of being slung on the scrapheap.

“That is a disgraceful kick in the teeth to brave seafarers who have played a vital role in conflict after conflict with many paying the ultimate price with their lives.”

An MoD spokesman said: “The MoD is working with the Treasury to look at ways we can improve efficiency across defence. We are considering a number of options how we achieve this and trade unions are fully engaged in the process. No decision has yet been made.”