Perhaps not a River design, but there is definitely legs in a MHPC class to be built in numbers to ultimately take on the UK and Global Patrol roles also from the B1/B2s. A class of @12 should do it. Yes there was a rational for a combined class combining mine hunting, hydrographic and patrol but i...

Perhaps not a River design, but there is definitely legs in a MHPC class to be built in numbers to ultimately take on the UK and Global Patrol roles also from the B1/B2s. A class of @12 should do it.

That’s true I did, and I still believe that efficiencies of scale and stability in the order book is more key to driving down costs than competition. However, on the basis that BAE could be made efficient with enough T26/T83s then in principle there is no reason why Babcock should not build a BAE de...

France goes with the Dutch/Belgium design: https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/euronaval-2022/2022/10/mine-warfare-france-belgium-and-netherlands-seal-partnership/ Still think the RN missed an opportunity by not going with the MHPC programme. Having said that I do like the B2 River design, and can’...

I think design is different from build - competition in the latter is a benefit, not so sure in the former

How is the T31 going to patrol places like the Persian Gulf or the Black Sea without a hull sonar? Not only for ASW detection since Iran has Kilo class but also for mine detection. I honestly don't understand why every escort isn't fitted with a hull sonar at the very least. No a big problem, there...

With the possible exception of the HVU escorts with very specific AAW/ASW roles, I think every warship in the navy needs to be seen as a mothership / amphibious platform, but aimed towards different threat levels and operating areas. I see the need for three levels: - Mid-High Threat / Globally Depl...

The UK engagement with the Asia pacific has to be predominantly diplomatic, intelligence and technological engagement with our allies in the region not military force based. Without assets in region then both the UK’s diplomatic and intelligence gathering capability will be limited. Having assets l...

What we need type 32 to do is to work as a LRG escort now for me the big problem with the new BAE ASF is it WILL cost 500 million plus and I would not be shocked at 600 million as it is a clean sheet design this is based on the fact that type 31 with its limited aims and adapted from a proven desig...

Seems to be growing pressure to kill the “Indo Pacific Tilt” direction outlined in the last SDR. It looks ideologically driven and now almost given with the financial problems and expected priorities of HMG. Bloody stupid and shortsighted IMO, when the global fallout from a China / Taiwan conflict w...

Not seen this pic before

I like what I see from the BAE design and highlights so many of the shortcomings of the T31. I do think HMG / UK Industry does need to come together and separate the idea that a BAE design has to be built by BAE. Babcock should be building this as a follow on from the T31, whilst BAE builds the T45 ...

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/no-r ... -ttsgtvds0

Let the inter service rivalry briefings and leaks begin…

The French built 3 LHDs when they wanted to boost their economy, so why not the UK. I think you could argue that these one off investments could be justifiable reasons to borrow.

The focus of any cuts will be in the next two years. This means real cash savings need to be made in the short term - I’m sure a longer term 3% promise will remain along with the current procurement plans though stealthily moved to the right on the usual jam tomorrow basis. I cannot see the amphibio...

The fact that those that are anti-Brexit are trying to pin all our woes on Brexit is hardly surprising. What people need to realise is that Brexit was a result of a divided nation that was fed up of being taken in a direction they were unhappy with without a say. What we need is less polar politics,...

Why do we need a ship to support HADR? Because we should support HADR operations in those regions. The UK armed forces are skilled and capable of getting urgently needed supplies and kit quickly to the point of need. Any platform should have a couple of Merlin’s or a Chinook deployed, which gives o...

Even if Defence spending is frozen in the budget update (which is probably unlikely), short term savings will need to be found quickly. Given that cutting stocks further is not an option, given that they are already depleted from Ukraine, what are the options? - Freeze on recruitment? - Further moth...

Given the broader financial headwinds, I think LRG(N) will be the sole war fighting amphibious group, so if something is needed EoS then LRG(N) would be the force deployed - so yes, it is the equivalent of the old ARG. What I hope is that people do not revert back to a binary view of the world, and ...

With defence inflation running double digits on top of a devaluation of the pound then even standing still with similar numbers / capabilities seems a stretch too far

Is this the day the dream of a 3% of GDP U.K. defence budget died?

Incremental upgrades to the B2 Rivers to allow them to remain in their Global Patrol role makes a lot of sense. I’d argue also for a third batch of Rivers, but perhaps more aligned to what the requirements that the MCM programme has, as a batch of 5 could replace both the B1 Rivers and also cover th...

It’s a good move. For a 100% available capability 2 vessels are essential. Would like one or both to have an ice breaking capability also, given the role will stretch from the Artic to the Azores.

With off board systems and multi statics the age of the specialist manned ship is coming to an end. It will no longer need to be the ultra quiet passive receiver, it will more likely be the active pinger with off board systems being the silent receiver. That day is not today though, whilst I agree ...

To make the point in a different way, if the RN (in a lead role within NATO) wanted to ensure dominance of the North Atlantic (inc Artic) above and below the surface what fleet composition is required?