UK Defence Forum

I see it as buying the basic metal hull and by doing so the MoD does appear to have faith in the programme to delver what they need. The only issue is where would these come from? When was the last Warrior built for home use or export? We have here another "Nimrod" programme where the MoD...

Iv always thought an Ajax based IFV made more sense over all, yes would of cost more up front but would reduce through life and training costs as well as giving us a more modern platform. Iv said it over and over but IMO the enter medium armour fleet should be replaced with solely Boxer and Ajax ba...

Sounds more like a murmur between officials to look at other options as a possible alternative. The above can easily be interpreted by a newspaper as ARMY LOOKING TO NOT DO IT ANY MORE. Iv always thought an Ajax based IFV made more sense over all, yes would of cost more up front but would reduce th...

So what they getting at then, are they hinting that the army are now considering Ajax IFV or just that the warrior project is in a complete state and won’t delive so we’ll end up just mucking along with what we’ve got ?

I must agree that we would do better to go for two additional T-26 than the five T-31e and possible up gun the B" rivers for duty in areas where the latter may have been stationed other than the Gulf. Even better we should look upon the T-26 as an evolving platform, and I am going to be repeat...

But the UK wants (and IMO has a responsibility) to be a global partner it also has through its BOTs to provide security outside of the North Atlantic. As such, as you state 8 is not sufficient. Each area will differ and each need different tools but having payloads of specialist troops, subsurface,...

The problem with all the arguments above is the politicians we’ve got and had for 2 decades all see defence as not worthy due to attracting few votes instead of the first responsibility. Due to this they have repeatedly cut defence to fund other areas while at the same time expecting more each year ...

What about something like the barracuda Stealth Boat for this role ?

https://www.safehavenmarine.com/barracuda

They’re a good deal smaller than the Mk6 so more could be transported via a bay class, they also carry more troops but don’t pack as bigger punch.

Wouldn’t the new USN Mk6 patrol boat fit this role and be a nice fit Yes it would. I do like that type of craft and it is something we lack especially if we looking at focusing on littoral strike/maritime security/choke point protection role. I would wrap it into a more strategic outlook both indus...

Wouldn’t the new USN Mk6 patrol boat fit this role and be a nice fit for gin and cypress look perfect to me.

Replace all the archers and the scimitars with them for training and the above type of roles.

I think personally both track and wheeled have a purpose to serve but it really does need to be reduced in the different families, IMO all medium armour along with SPG RPA starstreak and some of the bridging should be based on Boxer and Ajax. Some roles would over lap and it’d look like we’re doubli...

I think you have identified a number of the issues we face with the Boxer. It is a very capable and flexible platform but at present the British Army doesn't seem to be able to appreciate this, instead seeing it simply as an infantry transport. This maybe down to their limited experience of operati...

One benefit of the merlin size is that all hangers in the RN have been designed for that large size giving us a good set of dimensions to work with in. Not if we go for Leander they won't ! I agree with that and to me the Leander is a poor lazy design for the money, it’s just s long legs covert tha...

Not that appearance is particularly important or reflective of capability... Although I do recall it had an interesting well deck, which I’m sure would have it’s uses. The Well Deck was only on the concept graphics for the MARS Amphibious Support Ship of which there were to be 2. Not MARS SSS. The ...

It will be interesting what comes out for ASW in the years to come but IMO the merlins capabilities here should be the bench mark as it is the current world leader any less would be a step backwards. Are we going to be able to get one platform that can replace all the roles of wildcat puma and jung...

26 troops isn’t bad for what essentially is a mid size helo It’s not far of chinook size! In afghan and Iraq it was down to single figures of troops it could lift. Theresa reason why after these experiences CHF wanted to go chinook but finance dictated otherwise. Most of its issues relate to its ge...

I agree that the likes of the SB-1 and V-280 have come at the right time for us but why choose one or the other. When Iv looked in to them the SB-1 looks like a nice fit for the puma replacement while the V-280 look ideal for the commando and other RN tasks, any future FFA helo should have to fit in...

26 troops isn’t bad for what essentially is a mid size helo It’s not far of chinook size! In afghan and Iraq it was down to single figures of troops it could lift. Theresa reason why after these experiences CHF wanted to go chinook but finance dictated otherwise. Most of its issues relate to its ge...

has the speed and folds down to the size of a merlin but has a much smaller troop load out, this is why I’d stick with something like the merlin to help bring mass. Merlin has a ridiculously low troop loadout for its weight/ size. - this is not a criticism; it was designed with other primary driver...

It is also important to remember that the MoD had launched its initial phase of the programme to find its next generation of Rotorcraft, and calling it that is deliberate as according to reports everything is on the table, from conventional to Tilt Rotor to the entries in the US Army's programme to...

Something like the landing craft above absolutely must be part of the renewal project, or even better come sooner. The Marines have to get faster to offset the increased distance they will manoeuvre across. (Does this also apply to the land? Viking is not designed to travel great distances) I agree...

IMO for the strike brigades to really work and be anything more than just a fancy name they’ll need all the different variants of the Boxer from APC to command, IFV, Reece, repair and recovery and eventually pack a bigger punch with the likes of a 120mm variant and 155mm SPG. The key is it needs all...

it’ll need to be maintained at sea or just decked ? If the former then how ? That's what the high area in QEs' hangar design is for. Do you believe LCU fast or otherwise is needed for first wave or just for logistics ? If the former then how ? https://www.mauric.ecagroup.com/media-picture/293-900-6...

it’ll need to be maintained at sea or just decked ? If the former then how ? That's what the high area in QEs' hangar design is for. Do you believe LCU fast or otherwise is needed for first wave or just for logistics ? If the former then how ? https://www.mauric.ecagroup.com/media-picture/293-900-6...

I would really like the RN go for a Mistral/bae concept LHD of no more than 20 000t to replace both Albion & bulwark, small enough so the politicians see that she can not operate the F35 or maybe a LPD with smallish hanger eg 1 x extended albion type? 2 x QEC + 1 x LPD ( or smallish LHD ) If we...