Perhaps another proprietary source of information is the type of steel and its price the steel is the cheap bit, it is the design, build, integration and optimisation of the systems that is the expensive bits. Its clearly why the T26 costs have escalated, trying to optimise and make the best ASW fr...

I think it's well past time for the UK to have a proper Coast Guard but there's probably too mAny fingers in too many pies, too many vested interests for it to happen. Merge the existing Coast guard, the Fisheries Protection, Border Force, the RN River Class. Attach the CG helicopters, get a fixed ...

More border force cutters and more stringent HM customs checks needed. Time to go boat shopping! http://products.damen.com/en/ranges/stan-patrol :D :D We do have the luxury of not having and land border, but I do agree we still need to be tough. I think it would be nice to see a real coastguard in ...

^ Pretty much - a good hull (long range and good sea keeping qualities a la T23) with all the necessary systems incorporated to allow it to function at the intermediate level of operations (what our European friends have termed 'permanent' capabilities' - 5 inch gun, VLS equipped with CAMM and a mo...

Like I've said before, I am very certain this will basically end up as a GP Type 23 with a new hull and ASM. A simple, non-fancy, general purpose ship that is significantly lighter than the Type 26. And I would be perfectly fine with this. Like wise. That's certainly what I'm hoping for. If they ca...

A SSK cant do that,,if it runs on the surface and dives it becomes a target for aggressor SSN. SSK are truly awesome in littoral ops but no real use in open ocean against SSN. All navies with SSK utilise them in a defensive role allowing the prey to come to them and utilising superior quiet running...

downsizer wrote:Fucks sake. I despair at the press sometimes.

Not as it suggested?

arfah wrote: Only if the skipper was inept. I thought the SSK was supposed to be escorting the CBG?

Syria air strikes: RAF warplanes deployed from Cyprus - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35011984

And off they go......that was quick.

Wait and see what they come back with now.

That said, the only thing can interdict a CBG underwater in open ocean is an SSN, You think? A well placed SSK could prove to be very dangerous. that's why if the the CV go out the so will one or even 2 Astutes. Do you think we have enough for 2 astutes with a carrier group? That's half of the avai...

Extra sentry crews, new mpa fleet, extra shadow, extended sentinel, more typhoon, and then another squadron. He is being very creative with his man power.

The discussion on the light frigate thread got me thinking, could an SSK like the type 212 make a suitable escort for the carriers?

I think the MN La Fayettes are being used to validate the 'Light Frigate' concept: They are indeed, by @Tony Williams I think they are a more interesting concept, however the T23's are around 10% bigger, yet 40% heavier at full load. I dont think the T23 has 1000 tonnes of ASW on board do they? it ...

You've not answered the original questions. We're no closer to understanding your objections. What haven't they demonstrated, and which navies are you referring to? There have been mentions of the Italian PPA and the spanish F110, and using them to corroborate the light frigate as a concept. They h...

Besides which, why would a general purpose, lighter frigate not fit with substantial carrier ops? The USN operated a succession of what we might now call light(er) frigates as carrier escorts, as did we, as do the French, and even the Russians. If it can, great but if I may speak for Mr Bait, many ...

The tranche 1's must be so happy. A life extension and a deployment, just what every fighter jet wants!

A bit suprised to see them overe there, but glad they are.

Sea Ceptor is claimed to have an effective range of 25 km, which means that any ship carrying it should be fine for escorting logistics etc ships, and should be able to make a useful contribution to general task force defence. But of course, its AAW capabilities would not be in the same league as a...

The RN is not moving towards American style carrier ops. Do you actually believe that? Massive American sized carriers, based in the Americans old stomping grounds, launching American made jets, dropping bombs on Americas enemy's, possibly even with America personnel. The entire SDSR was trying to ...

However, in the event of a major task force operation, the NLF would not be useless or vulnerable (I am assuming Sea Ceptor will be fitted - otherwise it will just be an OPV) and it would of course be able to make a contribution in various ways, e.g. NGFS, as has already been discussed. When I ment...

Again, it seems like your idea of 'light' is very constrained - fixated almost on the La Fayette example et al. If so, then you are very much short-changing the niche. I will once more point to our European friends, particularly the Spanish and the Italians in this case, who are demonstrating quite...

As for your proposed light frigate: an obsolete gun with future ammunition supplies a big problem and no extended range, smart shells in development. No radar! No big boy VLS. No ASW. No helicopter. Used for "global maritime security operations". Sounds like a River class. My exact proble...

It does seem very odd to me that the difference between the standard displacement and full load for the La Fayette is only 450 tons (an increase of 13.6%) while that for the T23 is 1,400 tons (an increase of 40%). I suspect that like is not being compared with like here. It does indeed is very odd,...

at least some one still has their fingers crossed for those additional 8 merlins!

Ron5 wrote: Really???? Could it be the Royal Navy isn't designed just to do "maritime security/flag flying and NGF"????? And those tasks aren't even in the top 5 priorities.

Hooray, someone gets it

According to the latest version of Jane's Fighting Ships, the La Fayette class displaces 3,300 UK tons standard (3,353 tonnes) and 3,750 UK tons full load (3,810 tonnes). From the same source, the T23 has a displacement of 3,500 UK tons standard (3556 tonnes), and 4,200 UK tons deep load (4,267 ton...