Britain's Royal Navy chief on Tuesday warned that an independent Scotland would "damage the very heart" of the military service.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, First Sea Lord Admiral George Zambellas highlighted the pivotal role played by Scotland throughout the history of the Royal Navy, pointing out that almost a third of Admiral Nelson's men at the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar were Scottish.
"I believe that independence would fundamentally change maritime security for all of us in the United Kingdom and damage the very heart of the capabilities," he said.
"While the continuing United Kingdom would eventually adapt and cope, the deeper impact would be felt in Scotland which would no longer have access of right to the security contribution of one of the finest and most efficient navies in the world."
A vote for independence at the September 18 referendum would "greatly weaken the carefully evolved 'whole', as bases, infrastructure, procurement, spares, personnel and training face a carve up," he cautioned.
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