Will be interesting to see what plane they will choose for their IAC2 as she will be a 65k tonne CATOBAR carrier, not sure if it will have EMALS or steam cats, maybe the F35C would be the preferred choice? I was just thinking they might want a bit of commonality with the airforce as they are getting...

Good on them, Seems like years since they bought them !!!

Would of been nice to see ( if they could of used them ) on their STOBAR carriers

A very valid point, the most recent F16 is a lot more capable then the original, so hopefully they will be upgraded to keep their prowess, also im sure in 20 years time they will be a lot cheaper, but it would keep the commitment of 138, but such a long way a way.... Personally i cant really see the...

I still think the best way to keep up the 138 buy is after 2023 or is it 2026 now ? ( 48 F35b ) is to buy 3 x F35b a year for 30 years or so that means 138 over approx 40 years, initially wind the operational avaliable planes up to 60-70 ( early 2030's ) then replace all the early model planes with ...

Im sure people (myself included ) would donate a lot more if he was aloud to hover over the deck of a QEC whilst carrying passengers

The way I see it is. that they would not mention it if it meant nothing to them, ok we are just supporting the American stance & hopefully meet up with old friends (Oz ? ) but if you have a Shiny new toy - show it off :clap: I think it will be great to see :D Chinas more than aloud to send a CBG...

Think it would be awesome if we in the UK could develop a modern version to replace the Merlins…. i know im wishing but

Don't get me wrong, I would love to have the F35B in RN colours but it does seem a bit weird that the RAF would be still pushing for the F35A over the prospect of getting the project tempest offspring in numbers would be more appealing? after all as a country the politicians wont want to spend more ...

Maybe they will get the old EMCAT out the box? with a crash barrier like the old carriers used to use in a emergency.

would it be harder to make this little bid STOVL like the F35 principle with a lift fan/jet combo?

Would you not carry a couple of spare engines on a QEC aswell ?

If these are going to be carrier - capable, I think they would be good to fill the decks of a QEC, even if they could be used for a extended hours long range combat air patrol / surveillance, also maybe deep first day strike? :thumbup: wonder what would be in service first, these or a project tempes...

I'm still waiting for these bad boys

http://defense-update.com/wp-content/up ... 12/qtr.jpg

I read a while back that the IH ( T31 forerunner ) that they maybe trialing a Towed Array Sonar, would this bee comparable to the French Tier 2 asw light frigates?

What are the chances of the Rn T31 getting a TAS or would it depend on the IH trials ?

Yeh, I wish we could of bought one of the X -Russian Mistrals, even if we had to sell/scrap the albions & Ocean ( admitadly they would of needed money spent on them to get to uk spec ) I think they would of been a good compromise for the RN as the RM seem to have a smaller capability - sorry &qu...

I would of thought it's a dead cert that the FCAS would be carrier capable as the French will defo need something to replace their navy rafaels ? i believe the airforce rafaels are not carrier capable so seperate naval + airforce versions could work, but as said would cost more, but you never know.....

Perhaps they could have their radar on a Eiffel tower structure

This is a better question and this why I would say if they go for F-18 then pick the best pilots from the program to go on to do carrier training giving them a squadron that could join the French carrier Perhaps the germans could start on the Rafale now, like the US navy helped us (UK) out for a fe...

I am looking forward to hearing more on Bastille day as suggested on the French armed forces thread

Starter for ten; Army: Warrior Upgrade canned. Lose half the Regular infantry and Light Cavalry units within 1st (UK) Division. Wildcats sold off. Ajax buy reduced by between 30 and 50 percent. Airforce: Pumas scrapped/sold. Hercules scrapped/sold. One or both Tranche 1 Typhoon squadrons Disbanded ...

Good to know the decision is to be made very soon, Think they will have to have 2 to keep up with us in the UK atleast as big, Maybe they could fast track a conventionaly powered version to help the French economy for service in the early 2030's? then a CVN to actually replace CdeG in the 2040's so ...

Maybe they decided it was a less than good idea Except to Lili-pad to another ship pick up the troops then to the beach, but if the idea is smaller forces then it may not been worth spending the money on such a big target ?

But probably thought we got no money so lets not spend it !!!

Its likely the batch including the s.e.a.d will be sourced by the R.A.A.F as a replacement for the Growler Didn't the RAAF recently buy some FA18 superhornets wired up to be growlers aswell, how long are they going to be in service for, so with the F35 + growlers they will have a good capability !!...

Just wouldn't surprise me that after the first batch there will be either a massive slow down (24months per ship) or cut to the numbers to help with the financial "black hole" Just thinking what would be an ok outcome, it would keep the workforce working, the politicians could spin that th...

As much as I want to defend our various uk governments, they all think short term on every thing that costs money This is a bit of an urban myth. Default investment timescale considered in making MOD investment decisions is 25 years; this is not short term by most people's understanding. Detailed p...

As much as I want to defend our various uk governments, they all think short term on every thing that costs money