Dave wrote:Cameron also discusses the additional Typhoons and F35s.

Without doubt the most optimistic couple of paragraphs I've seen on this forum in a while.

SKB wrote:Are these two new squadrons using the recently 'de-mothballed' Tranche 1 Typhoons?

Yep, or the tranche 3's in storage or production. Depends which way you look at it.

The Armchair Soldier wrote:PM announces there will be two extra Typhoon squadrons:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... ls-it.html

Fantastic news! Total no brainer

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/12010788/David-Cameron-We-will-defeat-terrorism-and-the-poisonous-ideology-that-fuels-it.html We will establish two additional Typhoon squadrons and an additional squadron of F35 Lightning combat aircraft to operate from our new aircraft carriers. And w...

The Armchair Soldier wrote: Is that Zephyr he's talking about?

It has to be, its the only product that fits that description. Seems like a good choice for investment to me.

Also I like how he actually calls them drones, rather than some pink and fluffy PC crap.

Lugzy wrote:does that signal the first of our type 23s being retired soon so the process of removing of equipment can begin ????

No, I believe some brand new units have been ordered for the first few ships to avoid this.

http://warisboring.com/articles/airborn ... her-drone/

Just came across this, its a very novel approach that could have some utility aboard our carriers. It's certainly an approach I have never considered

I would imagine that there will be no definitive number announced in the SDSR, just a commitment to the first T26 batch, as previously suggested. Any reduction below 19 hulls would simply not be enough, and you would like to think that if a proper T26 procurement strategy is employed, and by not re...

I can not get my head around building aircraft carriers, and having to wait years to put aircraft on them, how long will it take for the USS Gerald R. Ford once commissioned to get it's full complement of aircraft? That irrelevant. The US already have thousands of trained operators on carrier ops a...

Still 8 years sounds like a ridiculous amount of time to acquire 24 aircraft Acquire 24, plus reserves, then train hundreds of competent operators to use a brand new aircraft, launching of a brand new carrier into a war zone. These things dont happen overnight. So where does our illustrious stool p...

Unless there are protective industrial caveats sealed into the contract. There is always that option yes. Personally I would be disappointed if that was the case. Which makes me wonder why there's so much enthusiasm for a commitment that's not really a commitment I think a solid commitment should s...

So what's the advantage to committing to such numbers now beyond political posturing and justifying cuts elsewhere by referring to this £12bn commitment? There isn't really, its purely political posturing. 138 isn't really a bulk order compared to the scope of the whole F35 project, so I imagine th...

No it isn't, If your ordering a jet now for 2030 the price will certainly be be adjusted for inflation.

Pseudo wrote: Osborne is on the Andrew Marr Show tomorrow morning, so that might be worth ruining a lie in to check out.

I dunno, surely that's what iplayer was invented for, so I don't have to wake to Osborne in the morning!

Whatever the real truth, not long left to D-Day, H-Hour. Yes! all of these unnamed sources are doing my head in. The times specifically quotes Osborne as their source which is a pretty bold statement. Its behind a pay wall though. Does any one subscribe? http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_...

If its true, and those 2 ships are ships are ocean and Albion, then its no real change.
If its true, and those 2 ships are ships are frigates, that is totally unacceptable. We are teetering on the edge of frigate availability, and simply cant afford to loose another, really we should be wanting more.

The article seems to suggest that part of the price for the F-35's will be reductions to the current RN fleet and T26. If that's the case, I think I can quite easily conclude that this deal sucks. That part indeed would suck. Article was a little unclear on that part, lets see whats printed on mond...

The Armchair Soldier wrote:138 F-35s will be ordered according to Sky News.

If that actually gets printed on monday

Are the A's really that much cheaper? That is my thinking, current unit prices are less than 5 million cheaper, what that cost actually includes. It doesn't include engines, but I don't know if it includes the lift fan, I suspect it doesn't. You may save a little on the purchase price, add a little...

Let's just say for example the gov as purchased over time 100 f-35b , how many of the RAFs squadrons are going to be made up of these aircraft ? , mr shark you say the f-35a would be a terrible typhoon replacement but the reality is a one version buy in the numbers suggested would probably mean typ...

Once the carrier airwing and training squadrons are operational giving the FAA/RAF around 60/80 aircraft (best case scenario ) , attention must then turn to the A Version for the RAF as the replacment for older typhoons , the F-35A meets the RAFs operations criteria much better than Bs would and th...

We know it's all about money. In fact that was rather a non news item, as all he did was ask the same questions that everyone has been asking for what seems an age. Looks like he got a good soaking for nothing. :lol: Well some reports talk about meeting strategic needs, at least he realises it will...

The Armchair Soldier wrote:Short video report here from the deck of Prince of Wales on Monday's SDSR:
http://www.itv.com/news/2015-11-20/conc ... ce-review/ (scroll to the bottom)

I think the reporter sums it all up rather nicely. It's all about the money!

. Rumours of a total buy of 48 f-35bs being purchased to cover carrier operations only have been doing its rounds over the last few months , with a possible add on later buy of f-35as I think 48 is a reasonable number to start at, but I hope the rumour of type A stays exactly as that. I see no poin...

Tony Williams wrote: I'm pleased to see the penguin respectfully standing to attention

Its a proper British gentleman penguin !

Also first picture if seen of that ship where doesn't look horrible, in most pictures she is an ugly brute in my opinion. Perhaps its down to the dramatic setting.....