Coronavirus: Royal Navy axes 'show and tell' event for foreign militaries in Portsmouth amid health fears

More than 150 senior officers from armed forces across the globe – tipped to be future military leaders – had been meant to attend the maritime combat power visit event at Portsmouth Naval Base.

The spectacle is designed to shine a spotlight on the navy’s tech and capabilities, as well as to help forge greater relationships between defence personnel.

However, the Senior Service pulled the plug on the conference amid escalating health fears over the deadly virus, which has swept the globe.

The news comes as the government this afternoon announced its biggest hike in deaths due to Covid-19, with 71 people now known to have died.

So far there have been 1,950 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.

However, health officials fear there could be as many as 50,000 people already infected nationwide.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Navy said it was reviewing future events ‘on a case by case basis’, based on government guidelines.

She added the safety of sailors was a top priority and said: ‘We have to protect our people. They are the frontline of defence.’

Last year’s event saw 257 military officers from 59 nations in attendance.