UK Defence Forum

I’ve a got a very radical/controversial proposal. Given that there is a real gap in terms of the ability to deploy the Army (and an expeditionary brigade) why not give the both Albions, the three Bays and Point replacements to the Royal Logistic Corps. They are relatively young ships, and changing t...

Need more subs…

…and potentially modified for coalition flight operations with conventional carrier-borne aircraft…

Cats and Traps would have been a good capability, however whilst it has its restrictions the F35B provides a common platform for the RAF & RN, and also gives the opportunities to evolve new operating models. The ability to interchange between the carrier and a forward temporary site being one.

The navy has what it has and we know what it will be getting if we want the RN to face down the Russians on its own it will need another 10 SSN's this is not going to happen for the Atlantic we need another 8 or so P-8's on top of 2 more type 26's to work with NATO partners. There is an argument IM...

Control of the North Atlantic is a key priority for both Europe and the United Stats and Canada. Yes a priority, but for the UK it is the critical one that matters. For almost everyone else, there are other equally and if not more important areas - for the UK it is the moat that has protected us fo...

Securing the North Atlantic is a NATO task not a sole U.K. one. All the countries in NATO on the Atlantic coast have shown up when asked Yes it should be. The need to secure it however is a vital national interest, and given that other countries have their own interests and priorities, we should pr...

I’d say the first thing we need to do is focus on getting the ability to secure the North Atlantic independently from Russia, on the sea, below the sea and in the air. I’m not saying our allies will not help, but Ukraine has highlighted that when there are other (economic or political) interests at ...

Given that there is very unlikely to be any new cash for Defence (following the Chancellor’s comments on the BBC this morning), I have a proposal.

Let’s make HMS Bulwark the current National Flagship, perhaps spending £100 on an additional flagpole, keeping both LPDs active.

The Chancellor was on the BBC this morning, it’s very clear that he is not in favour of increasing defence spending further. Given the broader economy pressures I’m not surprised, but the MOD needs to now think creatively on what it can do more without new cash. Having said that, I would still be pu...

One thing that Ukraine has already reminded us is that the follow of weapons and support from other countries during conflicts is far from guaranteed. The UK should have a level of coverage for all critical capabilities - for me, the ability to design and build manned and unmanned helicopters is one...

The way P&O are behaving can only be described as disgusting. The government needs to get a grip and a real strategy over the UK maritime industry and merchant fleet. The Ukraine crisis should be a reminder to us all that bad things happen and can happen quickly - maritime trade is the life bloo...

Also the sinking of a Russian warship reinforced that they haven’t succeeded in destroying Ukraine’s ability to defend its coast.

Tempest414 Wrote:- The Chinook can only operate as part of the LRG from a carrier . So it MAY WELL operate from a carrier, but it CAN operate from an LSD or any of the T45s or any of the “in-build” and planned T26s. :mrgreen: the only RN ships Chinook can operate from are the carrier yes Chinooks c...

Did i miss it getting actually published, as a tangible and real 'thing' that we can poke at and test as something more than a collection of hypotheticals? Fair point, I should have clarified by adding the “ expected direction of the FCF”. Whilst we should not plan to fight the last war or interpre...

Carrier Strike is an essential capability for the RN. The FCF I think is spot on, though perhaps too keen on new ships when they aren’t using what they have. The gap is the Army’s ability to move a brigade by sea.

For me each LSG is one reinforced Coy of RMs and with the ability to carry two in overload. With two LSGs in the UK it means a 4 Coy force could be surged to Norway.

Enough in my book, as any more should now be the domain of the Army.

Whilst we should not have knee jerk reactions following what has happened in Ukraine, we should reflect on the current amphibious strategy. Early days, but I feel the FCF concept still stands. Highly trained / equipped dispersed units capable of operating independently causing havoc to larger forces...

IMO should be dusting off the MHPC concept and merging MCM Support and Future OPV lines; I’d even add in the MROSS / Future Ice Patrol Ship lines also (the ability to fight in the polar regions will be key). A fleet of 16-20 ships with slightly different configurations would give both scale and cost...

TSharpe28 wrote: ↑12 Mar 2022, 08:31 A National Flagship can only take one role it cannot be a hospital ship which would breach the Geneva Convention.

True - lazy language on my side, I meant Primary Casualty Receiving Ship

It is quite shocking that given what is going on the next decision/initiative will be regarding the National Flagship. I’m in favour of such a craft as if used correctly it can boost soft power and trade, but it shouldn’t be the priority. MROSS should be ahead of this, and if it’s not I want to see ...

They get around don’t they

donald_of_tokyo wrote: ↑06 Mar 2022, 01:04 3rd small ship

Looks like a Scimitar class to me?

wargame_insomniac wrote: ↑05 Mar 2022, 14:33 Does the RN need quantity or quality or some compromise between them?

It needs both - a large number of low level ships for forward presence / surveillance, global constabulary roles, survey and training. And a tier one fighting core with as many ships/capabilities as can be afforded.

Some light relief - and a reminder of the value for money these ships give (saving the rest of the fleet to deter tier one foes).

Search found 4737 matches

Re: Current & Future Amphibious Capability - General Discussion

Re: Current & Future Amphibious Capability - General Discussion

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

Re: National Flagship for Britain

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

Re: New Medium Helicopter [NMH] - (RAF & AAC)

Re: UK Politics - General News & Discussion

Re: Current & Future Amphibious Capability - General Discussion

Re: Current & Future Amphibious Capability - General Discussion

Re: Current & Future Amphibious Capability - General Discussion

Re: Current & Future Amphibious Capability - General Discussion

Re: Current & Future Amphibious Capability - General Discussion

Re: Current & Future Amphibious Capability - General Discussion

Re: Mine countermeasures and Hydrographic capability (MHC) (MHPC)

Re: UK Shipbuilding

Re: UK Shipbuilding

Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Re: Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (LSD (A)) (RFA)

Re: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)