Admiral Lord Alan West, right, has praised the decision to bring in US Navy officers [GETTY]

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The navy says it is bringing the engineers to the city because of cuts to staff numbers in the government's 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review.

If it is a success, there will be a total of 36 Coast Guard personnel working in the positions in Portsmouth, Hants, by the end of 2016.

This month, American servicemen will start work as engineering technicians on board Type 23 frigates on the south coast.

Having to borrow engineers is hugely embarrassing and bringing them across is a desperate move

Critics say it is a "desperate move" and proves armed forces redundancies, which saw the loss of around 500 engineers in 2011, are a false economy.

Former naval officer Mike Critchley, the publisher of maritime book Warship World, said the step was 'hugely embarrassing'.

Mr Critchley said: "Having to borrow engineers is hugely embarrassing and bringing them across is a desperate move.

"It is fortunate the US Coast Guard has excess personnel at the moment, after they have paid off some ships that were very manpower intensive.

"You can't just recruit guys off the street and train them - the Royal Navy is looking for experience.

"But I'm sure these guys will do a great job and keep ships at sea."

The project will cost the navy 187,000pounds from April 2014 to April 2015 and the average pay for each is 35,000pounds.

Admiral Lord Alan West, a former head of the Royal Navy, said he thought the move was a sensible one.

Sir Alan said: "There is a national shortage of engineers in this country, and that is obviously going to affect the military as well.

"I have served with a lot of Americans and they fit in extremely well.

"This seems to me a good temporary measure but there does come a stage where we need more people in the navy." The Royal Navy said it is actively recruiting in all branches, including engineering.

It is not uncommon for servicemen and women from other nations to serve on board Royal Navy warships.

The First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas welcomed the move and said it showed the two countries' relationship was "without equal".

Sir Zambellas said: "The professional maritime partnership between the USA and the UK is one without equal.

"This latest initiative strengthens its authority further still.