Search found 780 matches

by ~UNiOnJaCk~
27 Feb 2022, 17:11
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: General UK Defence Discussion
Replies: 1838
Views: 183269
United Kingdom

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

The worst thing we can do right now however is allow ourselves into a knee-jerk reaction. It's clear that the illusion of peace in Europe post Cold War has been shattered. There is no hiding from it now, an history will judge us, and find us wanting, if our politicians allow the status quo of ambiva...
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
27 Feb 2022, 17:03
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)
Replies: 4029
Views: 947336
United Kingdom

Re: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)

If Russia loses this war, as we all hope it will do - and fast, the worst thing we in the UK can do (and the West more generally) is to look at the performance of the Russian military and decide that we simply overestimated the threat. We cannot allow a Russian defeat to lull us back into a false se...
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
30 Jan 2022, 17:27
Forum: British Army
Topic: Multi Role Vehicle – Protected - MRV(P)
Replies: 767
Views: 225623
United Kingdom

Re: Multi Role Vehicle – Protected - MRV(P)

A thought has occurred to me. I was re-reading the Australian Defence White Paper from 2016 today in which it is stated that the ADF is looking to replace the Bushmaster with a new platform in the "2025" timeframe. Ambition of the timeframe aside given we haven't seen any progress to date,...
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
30 Jan 2022, 17:25
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19146
Views: 7053072
United Kingdom

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

A few thoughts on my previous post saying T26 is NOT a Tier 1 frigate and the various reactions, undoubtedly the T26 is a Tier 1 ASW frigate, but to me there is more than just ASW to a frigate. That's entirely dependent on the stated requirement. Comparing the City Class to the Hunt Class, the CSC,...
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
12 Jan 2022, 13:28
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Boeing P-8A Poseidon (MRA Mk.1) (RAF)
Replies: 1271
Views: 456008
United Kingdom

Re: Boeing P-8A Poseidon (MRA Mk.1) (RAF)

I’m personally not sure the requirement for 21 MPA ever went away as such. It was what we decided we were prepared to afford that changed things. Now you can also argue that there is a large Sentinel shaped hole in our overall ISTAR picture too (again a requirement that seems not to have gone away -...
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
11 Jan 2022, 18:16
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Boeing P-8A Poseidon (MRA Mk.1) (RAF)
Replies: 1271
Views: 456008
United Kingdom

Re: Boeing P-8A Poseidon (MRA Mk.1) (RAF)

Mate of mine working on them at Lossie still insists they're ideally looking for at least 3 more. 🤷‍♂️ More are definitely needed to my mind - somewhere between 3 and 6 would seem about right. Obviously i'm not saying we couldn't always do with even more than that, but I imagine between 3-6 is prob...
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
07 Jan 2022, 17:44
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Airbus A400M Atlas (RAF)
Replies: 383
Views: 154977
United Kingdom

Re: Airbus A400M Atlas (RAF)

Thank you for the pointers to the source all.

Also noticed that Gabriele Molinelli has tweeted some additional snippets from the same document, unrelated to A400M so not for here but interesting pointers nonetheless.
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
06 Jan 2022, 20:16
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Airbus A400M Atlas (RAF)
Replies: 383
Views: 154977
United Kingdom

Re: Airbus A400M Atlas (RAF)

From UKDJ, possible additional A400M purchase later this decade: https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-plan ... -aircraft/

Make of it what you will. Would like to see the source myself.
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
23 Dec 2021, 11:45
Forum: British Army
Topic: Royal Artillery/Royal Horse Artillery future developments
Replies: 862
Views: 292269
United Kingdom

Re: Royal Artillery/Royal Horse Artillery future developments

Whatever platform we do choose, only to things seem important to me: A: Under no circumstances should we entertain a split buy - we need to consolidate on the one platform whatever it may be (though I don't think there is any serious discussion of a split buy actually taking place in the MoD). B: If...
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
15 Dec 2021, 17:27
Forum: British Army
Topic: Ajax Armoured Vehicles (British Army)
Replies: 2421
Views: 525057
United Kingdom

Re: Ajax Armoured Vehicles (British Army)

For me personally, even if the mechanical issues can be resolved, perhaps the bigger question right now is one of doctrinal suitability. As things stand, Ajax sits rather awkwardly within the Army's plans. It's crystal clear that some sort of broadly equivalent capability is essential to the Army's ...
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
10 Dec 2021, 18:21
Forum: British Army
Topic: Ajax Armoured Vehicles (British Army)
Replies: 2421
Views: 525057
United Kingdom

Re: Ajax Armoured Vehicles (British Army)

I'd be extremely surprised if it were canned now, especially in light of Future Soldier. That's not to say I think retaining it would be the best call at this stage however...
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
17 Nov 2021, 15:24
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Replies: 6028
Views: 1721021
United Kingdom

Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)

"British F-35 fighter jet crashes during routine operation in Mediterranean - pilot ejected safely, MoD says"

Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59323895
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
17 Nov 2021, 15:22
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15432
Views: 4405488
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

British F-35 fighter jet crashes during routine operation in Mediterranean - pilot ejected safely, MoD says

Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59323895
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
09 Oct 2021, 10:28
Forum: British Army
Topic: Multi Role Vehicle – Protected - MRV(P)
Replies: 767
Views: 225623
United Kingdom

Re: Multi Role Vehicle – Protected - MRV(P)

It's ironic what with all the references to the Great War, that, to my mind, the only thing that will rescue the Army now is a period of reforms of Haldanian proportions - literal root and branch. Much as then, it is clear we stand at the precipice of great change in terms of how land warfare will b...
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
27 Sep 2021, 20:24
Forum: British Army
Topic: Boxer / Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV)
Replies: 2788
Views: 712809
United Kingdom

Re: Boxer / Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV)

You might want to read the rest of my post up above. It wasn't a criticism of the remainder of your post. Was just opining that I think the two variants I mentioned would be in my list from the outset, preferably somewhere near the top; depending on the outcome of Ajax in the case of a recon variant.
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
27 Sep 2021, 16:03
Forum: British Army
Topic: Boxer / Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV)
Replies: 2788
Views: 712809
United Kingdom

Re: Boxer / Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV)

Armoured Personnel Carrier - agreed Command Vehicle - agreed Armoured Recovery Vehicle - agreed Ambulance - agreed Joint Fires Vehicle - Is a Boxer based solution necessary? Signals Vehicle - Is a Boxer based solution necessary? ISTAR/EW Vehicle - Is a Boxer based solution necessary? Engineering Su...
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
18 Sep 2021, 14:13
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 45 Destroyer (Daring Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 1987
Views: 553563
United Kingdom

Re: Type 45 Destroyer (Daring Class) (RN) [News Only]

Will bring substantial increase in its AAW firepower capability, both in area defence and CIWS, but still looks limited in firepower for a ship of its class and crew size. If you take the new Israeli Sa'ar 6 1,900t corvettes with 70 crew as a benchmark for firepower at only a quarter of the T45s di...
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
09 Sep 2021, 12:20
Forum: British Army
Topic: Multi Role Vehicle – Protected - MRV(P)
Replies: 767
Views: 225623
United Kingdom

Re: Multi Role Vehicle – Protected - MRV(P)

JLTV is in the demonstration phase until sometime in 2021 ( now the back end of 2021 clearly ) once complete the MOD will put a business case forward for 821 vehicles Has that figure you reference been confirmed anywhere? I know the original FMS notification mentioned a possible contract total of u...
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
08 Sep 2021, 17:18
Forum: British Army
Topic: Multi Role Vehicle – Protected - MRV(P)
Replies: 767
Views: 225623
United Kingdom

Re: Multi Role Vehicle – Protected - MRV(P)

I doubt there's a stated requirement for 6x6, or even wheels. But the issue of a 4x4 would be a compromise of approach angle and break/over angle for a vehicle of the required payload dimensions length. With all the talk of 6x6 that gets bandied about I had begun to think it was some sort of formal...
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
08 Sep 2021, 15:11
Forum: British Army
Topic: Multi Role Vehicle – Protected - MRV(P)
Replies: 767
Views: 225623
United Kingdom

Re: Multi Role Vehicle – Protected - MRV(P)

I have a question that maybe someone here can help with. What is the rationale behind the requirement for a 6x6 anyway?

Is a 6x6 solution even a stated requirement for MRV-P package 2?
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
06 Jul 2021, 19:18
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 45 Destroyer (Daring Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 1987
Views: 553563
United Kingdom

Re: Type 45 Destroyer (Daring Class) (RN) [News Only]

For those asking the question earlier: "The existing 48 Sylver cells on the Type 45 will now be solely for the longer-range Aster 30 missile, which is also subject to a recently announced mid-life refresh. This will see the missile remain in service throughout the life of the Type 45s." Fr...
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
19 Jun 2021, 10:14
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19146
Views: 7053072
United Kingdom

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Ron5 wrote: That's a nice way of saying effing stupid.
Cries in Leander...
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
03 Jun 2021, 11:36
Forum: British Army
Topic: Ajax Armoured Vehicles (British Army)
Replies: 2421
Views: 525057
United Kingdom

Re: Ajax Armoured Vehicles (British Army)

Yep, Land-Nimrod. GDLS has never built a vehicle in this class in Europe. They're standing up a supply chain and manufacturing facility from scratch. An empty shed in Wales that used to build forklifts. A workforce that has never built a military vehicle before. What could possibly go wrong. And ev...
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
01 Jun 2021, 15:21
Forum: British Army
Topic: Ajax Armoured Vehicles (British Army)
Replies: 2421
Views: 525057
United Kingdom

Re: Ajax Armoured Vehicles (British Army)

What a pantomime...I say this as someone who was very enthusiastic about Scout and GDLS’ bid initially.
by ~UNiOnJaCk~
26 May 2021, 21:01
Forum: British Army
Topic: Ajax Armoured Vehicles (British Army)
Replies: 2421
Views: 525057
United Kingdom

Re: Ajax Armoured Vehicles (British Army)

How tempting? Let's consider the precedence you'd be setting. GD spend millions on Methyr Tydfil to bin it. LM spend millions on Ampthill to bin it. FPE spent millions on Foxhound facilities, only for it to be a limited purchase and not considered for later programmes. Why would anyone have confide...