ROYAL Navy ships, submarines and helicopters are being “cannibalised” for parts at record levels, a shock report reveals.

In the past five years, top brass have authorised a 49 per cent rise in scavenging, costing taxpayers millions.

2 The Astute submarine has been delayed due to cannibalising

Last year parts were cannibalised 795 times, spending watchdog the National Audit Office said.

The Navy has lost 31 per cent of its vessels since 2004, while £92million has been cut from contracts that keep the supply of spares flowing.

The ex-First Sea Lord, Lord West, called it “another example of the hollowing out of the Navy”.

Cannibalisation is allowed when a part is needed so ships, submarines and helicopters can go on operations.

2 Cuts have meant that new parts cannot be sourced Credit: Getty

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The NAO report revealed parts were even being swiped off Astute class submarines while they were still on the production line, causing long delays and cost increases.

It said: “Each instance of cannibalisation can delay programmes, create additional engineering risks and add to the work of staff, affecting morale.”

A Navy spokesman said: “Less than half a per cent of parts used come from swapping components.”