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by RetroSicotte
13 Sep 2020, 19:07
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

- Vikings Why would they go - the BVs are much older - having gone tru a re-manufacture fairly recently? Titan/Trojan Would be a fair guess, except that your assumption was an MBT on the same chassis remaining part of the line up Not saying it makes sense, just what I feel they could feel they'd ge...
by RetroSicotte
13 Sep 2020, 19:05
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

- Cut to 70 F-35B (We knew it'd be anyway, but formalised) Minor niggle but you can't cut something you don't have or haven't budgeted the money to buy. But I'd go along with you on cutting the Navy's amphib ability to close to zero. That would save a shed load of current money and in my opinion, i...
by RetroSicotte
13 Sep 2020, 13:48
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

Personally I have my bingo on some of the following leaving, if Challenger is not included and stays: - Wave class tankers - Argus - Cut to 70 F-35B (We knew it'd be anyway, but formalised) - FSS reduced to small "flexible" vessels (read - worse) - Vikings - Albions - Puma - Chinook cut to...
by RetroSicotte
04 Sep 2020, 14:29
Forum: British Army
Topic: Ajax Armoured Vehicles (British Army)
Replies: 2432
Views: 526482
United Kingdom

Re: Ajax Armoured Vehicle Variants (British Army)

The big questions then are: 1 - If it did cancel, what platform to carry out the role could it acquire within the same entry-into-service timeframe as Ajax that would not cost any more than the current Ajax forecast? 2 - How would it retain the jobs and industry that Ajax has in the UK for those who...
by RetroSicotte
04 Sep 2020, 11:38
Forum: British Army
Topic: Ajax Armoured Vehicles (British Army)
Replies: 2432
Views: 526482
United Kingdom

Re: Ajax Armoured Vehicle Variants (British Army)

It did have one before, but then the program was cut, many of its variants cut, and then the eventual formation it was supposed to fit into completely changed after the point at which it had already built steam.

Carter has a big role to play in this issue.
by RetroSicotte
31 Aug 2020, 00:08
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

Again remember, if you buy foreign, then what do you do about CRARRV, Trojan, Titan? Run two fleets? Non common parts? Or spend more to get those versions from others, including redeveloping them to do the same?
by RetroSicotte
30 Aug 2020, 20:00
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

Actually, I'll just delete mine here and we'll just say we agree to disagree on that.

Suffice to say, I feel this would be an objective cut with no upside, but that it feels unlikely, this is the silly season after all.
by RetroSicotte
30 Aug 2020, 16:10
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

I agree with the premise of the need for being able to fight beyond our own shores, but I think the question of how we might do that is up for debate. To consider the place of the tank in our unique context is a reasonable line of enquiry to my mind. Before we can make any judgement on the ongoing ...
by RetroSicotte
30 Aug 2020, 15:26
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

While I won't debate the point you make about tanks in particular, though I do have my own thoughts on the matter, the nations you refer to here are, for the most part, false comparissons. Of those listed, the only nation with even a remotely comparable set of strategic circumstances to the UK is J...
by RetroSicotte
29 Aug 2020, 22:24
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

If it is decided to "Ring fence" the Challengers then the same must be said for the Heavy Engineering platforms of the Royal Engineers. However all other tracked platforms cannot be classed as essential and can be got rid of if that becomes necessary as they could be replaced by wheeled p...
by RetroSicotte
29 Aug 2020, 20:54
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

The question of "do we need tanks" is not included in that though.

It's exactly as daft as asking "do we need men with rifles?" or "do jets need air to air?" It's a core component. It's not some optional extra.
by RetroSicotte
28 Aug 2020, 15:59
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

Current plans will result in a heavy element with up to date Challenger 2's supported by up to date Warrior IFV's and brand new Ajax as reconnaissance/forward screen. Yes, artillery is weak but there are programs in place for new self propelled 155mm and up to date MLRS. Air defense has brand new S...
by RetroSicotte
28 Aug 2020, 11:41
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

Could someone educate me on what constitutes a tank generation? There is a vague, nebulous attempt across some parts to define tanks in "generations" similar to fast jets. As of yet there has been no cohesive rule on what is or isn't, and it varies country by country, with many fanboys of...
by RetroSicotte
28 Aug 2020, 11:28
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 5461
Views: 1464635
United Kingdom

Re: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]

RichardIC wrote:Amazed at a mod encouraging this behaviour.
If that's a little friendly dig at me not just reminding news only, then yes, you are quite correct, sir.

Let's keep it on topic, all. :)
by RetroSicotte
28 Aug 2020, 00:55
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 5461
Views: 1464635
United Kingdom

Re: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]

The Conservatives have 6 UK Parliament seats in Scotland and 14 in Wales, so hardly just an English nationalist party.... Scottish Conservatives are technically the same party, but they absolutely aren't the same goals and manner. They've always been seen as (and are) very much different from those...
by RetroSicotte
27 Aug 2020, 11:29
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]
Replies: 5461
Views: 1464635
United Kingdom

Re: Type 26 Frigate (City Class) (RN) [News Only]

"Could"? At what point was it ever going to be more than 8? I desire the reality this guy thought he lived in. On a brighter note, took a stroll down to see HMS Glasgow last night. The canny lads have the factory doors angled such that no publically viewable area can see properly in. Just ...
by RetroSicotte
27 Aug 2020, 10:37
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

Fair points. But doesn’t take away from the basic fact that in the real world you have a budget and you have to make choices. The navy sacrificed half their fleet to get the new carriers. That’s a choice and a trade off. Airforce are likely going to cap F35 at 70 and have already given up Tornado. ...
by RetroSicotte
26 Aug 2020, 23:11
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

No disagreement with the general sentiment which is that heavy MBTs are desirable. No doubt the navy thought the same about cats and traps in 1979 and the RAF thought the same about the V bomber force before it was scrapped with no replacement. Neither of those are comparitives to this at all. Both...
by RetroSicotte
26 Aug 2020, 23:08
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

So no conflicts that have actually seen in armour versus armour contacts? Both Ukraine and Syria/Iraq have seen armour conflict occurring. There was some particularly notable ones from near Donbass where people were analysing the effect of APFSDS on the T-72s being used. The point was "What wa...
by RetroSicotte
26 Aug 2020, 20:23
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

I think we need to take a hard nosed look at where we fit into the Western alliance. The Polish field 700 MBTs and they're starting alot closer to the potential enemy than ours. I want to clarify that the following post is not entirely directed at just you, but rather the greater perception of thos...
by RetroSicotte
26 Aug 2020, 15:14
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

It is strange to question the role of tanks when there are multilpe active warzones in the world right now proving the current need for them. There is no other ground force, none, absolutely zero, ziltch, that can withstand the impact of a contempary heavy armour brigade on any strategic level witho...
by RetroSicotte
25 Aug 2020, 12:35
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

There's no way Boris will sign off on this, he doesn't want the bad PR, the electoral damage it will do with the working classes nor the damage it will do to his ambitions of building a global Britain He absolutely will if he can. He and his cronies see the military as just a sponge for money that ...
by RetroSicotte
25 Aug 2020, 10:29
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

Nah, the only thing Boris and co see is "omg money saved". They've been trying to do this sort of huge cut since they got into office. Hell they've been trying to do it since May got in, possibly even earlier if Hammond had gotten his way. The idea of the Tories being a defence party is ju...
by RetroSicotte
25 Aug 2020, 02:49
Forum: British Army
Topic: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Replies: 2323
Views: 1031722
United Kingdom

Re: FV4034 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (British Army)

FFS... :roll:

I know, I know, it's the usual pre-review "This awful thing could happen" reporting. But good grief. That this is even a vague option. Maybe they wanna go ask the Netherlands and Canada how they got on dropping them.