defence spending profile to 2030-31 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 spending (£bn) 2 64.63 67.5 71.0 74.5 78.2 82.5 87.1 % of GDP 2.32% 2.35% 2.38% 2.41% 2.44% 2.47% 2.50% UK GDP forecasts (£bn) 2,786 2,875 2,985 3,094 3,207 3,342 3,483 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u...

From the Prime Minister's speech announcing the £75bn in Warsaw Modernising our Armed Forces: Radically reforming defence procurement and creating a new Defence Innovation Agency to ensure the UK is at the cutting edge of modern warfare technology, with at least 5% of the defence budget to be commit...

Agree 100% with both posts with the exception of last part re FFBNW. FFBNW was acceptable during period of peace. But with Global tensions rising thanks to Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, together with proxy states, we can no longer risk it to the previous extent. Building one additional of bo...

Ron5 wrote: ↑23 Apr 2024, 13:44 Is this a phony celebration for PR purposes?

In what way? To cover the fact that astute deliveries are so slow? To give a push to the current t government in the lead up to the looming election? All the boats have had a similar light show naming event nothing new in what occurred.

Is this a foreshadowing of a future class an their loyal wingman UUVs? Or am I thinking of Seaquest DSV. Right 90s SciFi reminiscence at the moment with the naming of the latest astute after EAS Agamemnon from Babylon 5.

For me if we can take the Falklands as a case I would like to see a CAMM battery on MP airfield and a land based Type 45 system with Aster 30 on Mount Adam West Falklands we also need to be thinking hard about the low end and for me we need to be looking a 6 round rapid ranger system with a 25 or 3...

https://www.navylookout.com/snapshot-the-royal-navy-escort-fleet-in-april-2024/ Depressing situation and a reminder that we have a lot to do to get the 16 FFs/DDs (ignoring HMS Westminster) crewed and in better shape before we get excited about expansion. Somerset is a big disappointment for me - I...

For me if we can take the Falklands as a case I would like to see a CAMM battery on MP airfield and a land based Type 45 system with Aster 30 on Mount Adam West Falklands we also need to be thinking hard about the low end and for me we need to be looking a 6 round rapid ranger system with a 25 or 3...

Of course, but this is only one model - we should be looking at mobile radars also. The point being that we can adjust our response to the threat level and location, not only for the UK but BOTs such as Cyprus and also supporting allies. There will be cases where the radar and launcher are most eff...

Why not do it to all five? and buy five more. You obsession with doing down T31 is ridiculous, sell two for tuppence ha'penny to fund nothing. Because without new money we can’t modify the three and if sold straight from the production line it will be more than if we tie them up alongside for a few...

Of course, but this is only one model - we should be looking at mobile radars also. The point being that we can adjust our response to the threat level and location, not only for the UK but BOTs such as Cyprus and also supporting allies. There will be cases where the radar and launcher are most eff...

In very high end situations why not use type 31 as a missile barge? If they do end up fitting mk41 at some point fill it with sm3. If it’s within a task group a type 45 or a usn destroyer can do the tracking and sensing. Or if it’s around nato/uk territories let the assure systems do the hard bit. ...

1) CAMM systems are said to be similar to PAMS. If so, and CAMM can be integrated into TACTICOS with no issue, could we not reverse it? Doable. And it will cost as much as T45, of course? This is the whole point I’m stating. I can see no reason an AAW ship with SeaViper on TACTICOS can be cheaper t...

...Thanks, so your proposal is to make an expensive AAW version of T31. Integrating SeaViper system into TACTICOS CMS will cost a lot. Adding the required CMS analyses power will cost a lot. And, integrating Aster-30 missile into Mk41 VLS will cost (or your proposal is to locate Sylver A50 VLS in p...

Also, you are completely ignoring the threat today, let alone the future. Even with some of the unfunded bells and whistles people want to add to the GP T31 it will not be enough. These ships have been designed to run away gracefully, nothing more. I believe the correct term is "bravely run aw...

Does the arrow(missile) and the sensor need to be co-located for ballistic missile defence? No, this is where technologies like CEC come into play. The UK is an island so a base land capability enhanced when needed by a mobile platforms that can also be used in other regions is critical. That’s mor...

We are supposed to be part of the European Sky Sheild initiative, based on Medium range: primarily IRIS-T SLM Long range: MIM-104 Patriot Very long range (exoatmospheric): Arrow 3 Though presumably, we might opt for SAMP-T (Aster 30) or CAMM-MR in place of Patriot and CAMM/CAMM-ER in place of IRIS-...

Does the arrow(missile) and the sensor need to be co-located for ballistic missile defence? No, this is where technologies like CEC come into play. The UK is an island so a base land capability enhanced when needed by a mobile platforms that can also be used in other regions is critical. That’s mor...

We should have words with their head of state. He won’t be for long - there’s a referendum in the off-ing. Perhaps a Commonwealth Development fund to give countries options for investment should be at the top of the list - play China at their own game. There is BII but it seems too bust making mone...

It is good that defence is a central issue but whoever wins is going to have a massive tab to pay. Defence isn't a central issue for people. Current YOUGOV polling does show an increase in importance up to 19% of adults in uk now putting it as 1 of three top concerns compared to about 10% through l...

Poiuytrewq wrote: ↑20 Apr 2024, 23:39 If the U.K. needs a £10bn Iron Done system with ABM capability the 6x missing Type 45 should the main component of it.

Why not ground based?

It’s alright we will throw a cocktail party next time we visit… That’s right diplomacy is the answer - sending a warship because China is investing money seems rather overdoing it don’t you think. I would have thought an economic, trade and investment plan might have been more appropriate. Fair - d...

Also, you are completely ignoring the threat today, let alone the future. Even with some of the unfunded bells and whistles people want to add to the GP T31 it will not be enough. These ships have been designed to run away gracefully, nothing more. I believe the correct term is "bravely run aw...

To be clearer I meant the new long ranged SMART-L-EWC (Early Warning Capability) Radar in addition to Artisan. Adding Sampson is an option I guess but suspect the addition of the two will increase top weight too much, plus the fact it will not be able to be positioned high like the T45 means it’s n...

I guess you are proposing to use CEC to control SM-6? In other words, using T31 only as a Mk41 arsenal and SMART-L radar picket? In that case, there is a US destroyer there. In a theater as small as Red Sea, why not the US Destroyer just do the job? "The Americans will do it" is an old mi...