Decent bit in today's Times about the Blighter system, talking about export success to US & Spanish army & how you currently must be stationary to use it but mobile version coming soon.

Oh and disappointment at lack of UK order

That's a pretty impressive fleet.

Not really confirmed news but an article in the Times biz section today claims that industry leaders & possibly service chiefs are pushing ministers to look at the Bombardier (now Airbus?) C Series as a 146 replacement. It ticks various boxes. Economical, large UK work share & unlike the 146...

http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/15 ... n-sam-site

Reports that an Israeli F35 shot down/winged by Syrian sam. Smells like horse poop to me. The anti F35 crowd seem to be loving it though.

I concur. Always struck me as odd how both the usn & Japanese navy do this type of clearance but we don't.

dmereifield wrote:#ACCaP program: #France's proposal rejected by the Belgian MoD #Belgium https://t.co/xJj7duiYRY

So it's Typhoon or F35 then....

Fingers crossed. That's a win win either way for UK jobs.

Best place for a fixed system would be at existing RAF air bases. Surely some type of shore based T45 system makes sense. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Portsdown_Hill_-_geograph.org.uk_-_457881.jpg How about one at Portsdown Hill, Portsmouth ?! ;) That's exactly what I had in ...

Best place for a fixed system would be at existing RAF air bases. Surely some type of shore based T45 system makes sense.

Ron if Camm works as advertised. Soft launch, no deck penetration I'd like to see it rolled out everywhere. On the carriers, the Albions, the tankers, Points, Argus etc Every ship that can take it should have it (worst case scenario copy the Egyptians & slap a land based system on deck. Same wit...

Is it not time to look again at a direct fires variant of the Ajax. Not to replace but to supplement the reduced number of Challengers?

bobp wrote:

PAUL MARSAY wrote:Deploy all 3 rivers in the Caribbean as windies squadron with rotating crews

Crew member numbers is a big problem in the RN at the moment

Could we establish a form of RNR crew from recruits from the Caribbean islands themselves ? They can help us help them.

I'd still suggest getting some CTA 40mm RAPIDFIre systems is a no brainer. Same gun as the Warrior & Ajax, just airbursting ammo. Great for engaging uavs & choppers. Slap it on the rear of a Warthog (save selling them off)

ArmChairCivvy wrote:

Dahedd wrote: time to look again at the P8 contract?

And what do we do with the (new) Apaches?

More Wildcats please or talk to Bell & get the Cobra. It is fully marinised after all.

WIth the quite blatant case of US protectionism with regards to Boeing vs Bombardier is it time to look again at the P8 contract?

Perhaps the MoD still have Kawasaki on speed dial ?

Maybe Sheffield or Coventry ?

I've already stated repeatedly that I'm in favour of the Trident boats. I was just voicing if there was alternative. It sucks that the govt/treasury won't fund the navy (or any of the forces) properly & its crap that Osbourne moved the cost of the Trident boats to the navy from central funding. ...

I'm aware of all the arguments and I'm in favour of the nuke boats. But maybe, just maybe it's time to look at alternatives (God I hate sounding like a Lib Dem)

If Dreadnaught means a further gutting of the conventional navy it isn't worth it.

Lol stick on an island in the Thames. Was never a problem being so close to Glasgow

Sharkbait, why is a land based deterrent not a deterrent? Either way it's still a big fuck off missile with a nuclear warhead. I'd rather keep the Dreadnoughts but if it was a choice between them & a better, bigger navy then the subs should go. The funding for the deterrent should never have bee...

I'm starting to think we need to ditch the Trident boats. Maybe look at a minimal land based deterrent instead. Funnel the cash into the conventional navy. Let's face it we are never going to use the bloody things.

Not exactly news but I was out on the bike in the woods above Forres just as it got dark this evening. Really low cloud, Absolutely pee'ing down. Out of the gloom comes a USN Poseidon really, really low heading to Lossiemouth. Hope the RAF have more guys ready to crawl all over her. Edit.. it was ba...

SKB wrote:UK Border Agency might appreciate the older Rivers.

That would certainly be the best place for them to go. Little bit bigger than the glorified life boats they have right now.

That Daily Mail story is pure mince.

Selling HMS Scott, the 145s & the Warthogs is a stupid move.

But the rest of the list is ancient & obsolete gear or stuff like the Tucanos or Hercs already being replaced.

Watched a few of Tusa's videos now. Strikes me as a bit of a bit of a europhile. Seems very big on the French while being very keen to do the uk forces down.

I have to say that its been a particularly shite summer here in Morayshire this year