RFA Argus demonstrating once again the capability it brings - having an Aviation Support Ship as part of the fleet is not the luxury some think it is - it is essential.

RichardIC wrote:Brexidiots who are constantly whining about Europeans stealing our fish

Both are wrong

Personally wouldn’t overdo it - just add a row of MK41 VLS tubes for cruise / BMD missiles and an active sonar for now.

ArmChairCivvy wrote:

shark bait wrote:operate remote boats in a low threat environment.

... and in a high threat environment?

It’s either a LPD or an RFA/Minor Warship with rop cover from a CBG, Escorts or land assets or a combination of all three IMO.

Must admit I had not appreciated the shortage of facilities in Gibraltar - personally would invest in those, as at the very least it makes a statement in the region, though could be used as a hub for other ships. I suspect the Eastern Med will be a region of interest for a while, and Cyprus will be ...

I wonder if HMS Trent will ever formally be based in Gibraltar? The Brexit politics will prevent it in the short term, but surely longer term it makes sense, as constantly sailing from the UK to the Mediterranean must reduce availability by about 20%.

The smartest thing the UK can do is remain relevant - I.e. raise defence spending to 3%, and continuing to quietly build global relationships with the like minded countries in the Middle and Far East. France / Germany will be the girl invited to the ball, given the politics - but the UK will get a t...

- Can a civilian PSV be "comfortable enough" for RN to use them for MCM tasks? (I fear not). For UK and BOT territorial waters where ships can be safely forward based, yes. Another 3-5 ships like SD Northern River, combined with smaller near shore assets operated from ports, would be suff...

I understand the B1 Rivers are capable of storing and operating a LCVP from the deck area.

I know I’ve not supported this previously, and understand the argument that CASD should have the best supporting assets that the RN can afford... But what if: 1) All of the T31s were ring fenced for “home waters” covering FRE, TAPS and even BMD. 2) All of the T45/T26s were allocated to CEPP and LRG ...

...but i'd sell them all - as they're a danger to the possibility of building a new sloop based on Venari/MCM. I can see the point, and have argued similarly that a MHPC Sloop should be part of the future RN fleet, however with the choice of T31 and the broader financial backdrop I think the dream ...

ArmChairCivvy wrote:

Repulse wrote:the River class is the most successful export class

There are so many derivatives, how many classes back do you count (strictly speaking the Rivers are the derivatives, that way round, but you know what I mean)?

Good question - was just going for the B1, B1.5, Amazonas, Krabi and B2 derivations.

Happy to be challenged, but by my count, the River class is the most successful export class for the UK between the Leander and what will be the T26. Would be great to see an enhanced third batch, which I believe the RN should be seriously considering, but also something where the UK could give loan...

Saw HMS Trent sail out of Falmouth this morning - beautiful ships.

The whole concept of the LSG isn't clear to me yet, if fact I don't think it's clear to RN or RM yet either. Whatever the LSG ends up being it will have to be sustainable, affordable and justifiable. As SW1 points out aviation availability is a reoccurring problem especially with the CSG now operat...

SW1 wrote: However I doubt there is enough merlins to have 4 on one.

Would agree, though a mixture of 4 HC4 Merlins / AH1 Wildcats across a LRG would be possible and sustainable IMO.

What would be interesting if the Bays could be adapted to support 1 or 2 Chinooks.

Poiuytrewq wrote:Do we need three?

I’d say yes, one WoS and another EoS with the last in refit / ready to sail from the UK. What’s more we have virtually everything we need now to do it.

in your scenario all the specialist amph. shipping would be tied up in LRGs, and the army bde would need to move in the four Points (abt. 10 000 line meters, which then is vehicles and supplies only, and only to a port... the guys would need to fly, just in their boots, and be there at the destinat...

ArmChairCivvy , would agree and the point on trials and supporting future designs. The point is though with some thought and maximising what we have (or could have cheaply), we could have 3 ready global LRGs which are as capable as anything outside of the US and probably China. It would require rea...

Sorry, meant RFA Cardigan Bay

Given the MASTT trials on RFA Lyme Bay at the moment, I think it’s clear that in the mind of the RN the primary role of the Bays will move from one of Logistical Support to that of a Support USV mothership. Probably makes sense, though I can’t help but think that having the ability to transport (at ...

I don’t believe the French have got the memo to say OPVs should not be armed with anything more than a sharp stick..

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news ... naval-ciws

No 30mm? What is going to replace it?