Commercial components? Really? Are you twelve. I'd be interested in hearing why you disagree. Certainly more interested than I am in vague implication and childish insults. Commercial standards, look at HMS Ocean, for an example at how commercial vs military stands up. The cost of regenerating MBT ...

Trafalgar Class, Swiftsure Class, Vanguard Class. "similar to tank" Trojan? Terrier? Not at all what I mean. If you read my past coments I am talking about component level manufacturing. Right now the UK produces commercially almost every component of a tank. The uk does not build commerc...

shark bait wrote:It wouldn't be anywhere as bad as astute, thats the point I'm trying to make.
We already build things 'similar' to a tank.
We didn't build anything remotely like astute before that came along.

Trafalgar Class, Swiftsure Class, Vanguard Class.

"similar to tank" Trojan? Terrier?

Yep and a simple "Wah" on the unused object left behind will win you millions, as the Lord emperor God bless his sole told me. It will catch on once the benefits of extra protection are realised. Just like groin protection, ear defence and eyepro. Always seen the benefit of those, being m...

i will laugh my arse off if anyone actually wears that mandible thingymajig. If the C.O. Puts in on 'Orders' - it will be worn. Especially as not wearing it on operations may affect any insurance payout in the unfortunate possibility of injury or wounding Yep and a simple "Wah" on the unu...

downsizer wrote:

ArmChairCivvy wrote:Demanding flight ops? Like turning it around, also to leave, not just to arrive (Operation Mikado, anyone?).
- a bit like why have Puma when there are (were) Merlins around. The Wildcat being too small on many occasions

So much fail.

We are simply passengers to the egos of our bosses.

Then there's the through life costs, the ammunition, engines etc. Look how CR2 has fared with upgrades and improved ammunition. We buy from let say the Americans we become part of there logistics and upgrade system. Like the chinooks, AH64, C130, E3D. Many American buys are delivered ahead of schedu...

For us to design build and operate our own MBT in the future would be costly and a serious error In judgement when we could just buy in from Germany or America. The USA won't have one ready for when we need it. The Germans/French may, but there's no guarantee that it will fit into our concept of op...

It wouldn't be anywhere as bad as astute, thats the point I'm trying to make. We already build things 'similar' to a tank. We didn't build anything remotely like astute before that came along. Comparing world leading SSN boats, to the development of MBT is to say the least silly. We build our own b...

Yes. Not completely. Multi-Million Pound Manufacturing Development Gets Underway in Ampthill http://www.lockheedmartin.co.uk/uk/news/press-releases/2015-press-releases/Multi-Million-Pound-Manufacturing-Development-in-Ampthill-UK.html?sf9114608=1 The UK also has big automotive engineering muscle and...

Just buy what ever the Americans are currently fielding, but into their logistics and spares system job jobbed. Maybe not as well protected as the CR2 but We are out of the tank building bespoke game. Why don't we just become the 51st state then? I am against all this sending our tax to the America...

mr.fred wrote:

Tinman wrote:... but We are out of the tank building bespoke game.

Why do you think that?

Seriously?

Just buy what ever the Americans are currently fielding, but into their logistics and spares system job jobbed.

Maybe not as well protected as the CR2 but We are out of the tank building bespoke game.

arfah wrote:Leasing drained the coffers as do the PFI's

With option to buy? When you buy into the yanks system you just become another cog in their supply chain.

When Atlas matures and the J's are ending, nearing there out of service date 2020ish, whats peoples thoughts on using the same lease option that we acquired the C17 on, for MC130?

To bridge the gap for our sneaky beaks?