It’s a MINIMUM of 5 Frigates. Ok, but you don’t write that unless the discussion starts with can five ships meet the requirement. I am not arguing just stating if it is 5x or more T26, when could BAE hope to deliver them and not impact the RN schedule? Conversely, if it was 5x or more ASW optimised...

Poiuytrewq wrote: ↑10 Apr 2024, 20:36 It’s a MINIMUM of 5 Frigates.

Ok, but you don’t write that unless the discussion starts with can five ships meet the requirement.

Even with the substantial hike in defence spending, is the Royal Norwegian Navy realistically going to be able to afford 5 x T26? It seems to me that it might be worth them considering either a 2 + 3 or a 3 + 2 mix with T31. Alternatively, 5 x FREMM or similar. 5 FDI or joining the new danish navy ...

I have a feeling that the T32 and MRSS requirements and programs are about to get blurred.

So British ships, even if developed in partnerships, could be significantly different, so Dutch ones could have flight deck while British ones might not. Apologies, spotted the same and posted on the amphibious post. However, I didn’t see the same conclusion, only that the RN needs them to operate ...

RunningStrong wrote: ↑09 Apr 2024, 19:55 This is cheap kit, we shouldn't need it to be FFBNW.

It is and what’s more a CMS isn’t needed to operate it - the Amazonas class does not have one. But people will argue why waste a few £10’s mns whilst arguing we need to waste £100’s mns on light frigates.

This armament is therefore mainly intended as a last resort. This means that the ships are better armed than the patrol ships, but there is not much difference. The ATSs are intended for operations in the highest spectrum of violence, such as an amphibious landing. But they must be protected by fri...

Has to be CAUKUS - just waiting for NZ to join so it can be CAUKNZUS

Absolutely - it can also easily add additional automated guns port and starboard also. A 40/57mm gun and two dual feed 30mms would future proof the ships for another decade with minimal cost.

Given the reduction in platforms, I would argue a UK based OPV class that can act as a USV/UUV mothership is not a low priority luxury it’s essential. For what purpose? To do what the B1 Rivers to right now - EEZ patrolling, anti terrorism, anti drug trafficking and supporting littoral operations. ...

Given the reduction in platforms, I would argue a UK based OPV class that can act as a USV/UUV mothership is not a low priority luxury it’s essential. For what purpose? To do what the B1 Rivers to right now - EEZ patrolling, anti terrorism, anti drug trafficking and supporting littoral operations.

I know this is all fantasy and unlikely in the current climate but forgive me this indulgence. No problem with a fantasy fleet, we all have them. My comment is let’s not replace ships that are doing the job rather well already with more expensive ones just because it feels a good idea. It needs to ...

Given the reduction in platforms, I would argue a UK based OPV class that can act as a USV/UUV mothership is not a low priority luxury it’s essential.

Whilst replacing the B1s with a B2 design would be nice it’s absolutely not a priority - it would however not cost £127mn each - I suggest doing some research into what drove that number. For the UK, what is really needed is a River 1+ type ship, the “+” being increased ability to launch and operate...

At the risk of being pedantic 'too much and not enough ' seems to be a judgement about perceived value for money rather than compromise. I'm not clear how they're 'compromised'? In my opinion they are too much (over spec’d) for EEZ patrol and not enough for global patrol as there is too much they c...

Poiuytrewq wrote: ↑06 Apr 2024, 18:55 My opinion hasn’t changed on this.

Retire the 3x RB2’s back to the U.K. EEZ in 2028 and retain the other 2 in the Falklands and Gibraltar.

They are a compromised platform for global patrol and always will be unfortunately.

It’s good that reality is proving the opposite.

"Think small" option (if the budget do not rise sharply and man-power issue is just kept as is, (not getting worse, but not better either) It will need to be “think smaller” if nothing changes. It’s just more managed decline. Much more proactive to illustrate what 2.5% or 3% could provide...

A 40mm or 57mm would definitely be my preference, but AFAIK it has a decent radar for its class and maybe a counter UAV with LMM or even a shoulder fired Starstreak would do the job.

"Think small" option (if the budget do not rise sharply and man-power issue is just kept as is, (not getting worse, but not better either) It will need to be “think smaller” if nothing changes. The RN doesn’t have the crew to man 19 escorts for a start, even with some in refit - 17 max. T...

I’ve also read that the Wildcats cannot carry dipping sonar and torpedoes at the same time due to weight limitations. https://youtu.be/evfy2-0FpmE?si=GZ2DerbC7ZtxWkJd https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2017/february-2017-navy-naval-forces-defense-industry-techno...

And you can have the exactly same dipping sonar and processing system that is on merlin on wildcat now. The South Koreans bought it. Thales sell it as compact flash basically they used new materials, replaced hydraulics with electrics to reduce the weight and shrink. And a much shorter cable so no,...

https://www.twitter.com/hms_spey/status/1776030294887497983?s=46&t=uxMT95H5Nr9jAEmCklKdgA Nice video. I can understand those who post on improving the lethality and sensors of the B2, but thankfully the debate about turning them into some sort of 21st century Panzerschiff has died down of late....

Some +ve PR for the RN in a flood of woe

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68748861

It is welcome, it also highlights how far below the 2% of gdp they had fallen (around 1.4% presently) in that this will allow them to reach that target in about 3 years time. The main takeaways for me. • Regardless of the 2% debate, the worsening security picture requires a massive increase in defe...