Is the increase inline with (defence) inflation and is the £10bn increase really in addition to inflation (I.e. is it a real terms increase of 10bn)?

I could see Japan ordering >200 given the neighbourhood they find themselves in. I reckon 120-140 over the lifetime of the project for the UK

180 for the UK does sound fantasy fleets....I'd say more like 120....

Excuse my ignorance, but why is that convenient for international partners?

If the £3 bn is new investment rather than overspends, good. £1.9 bn for backfilling - Well, how much is the value of munitions, hardware, consumables etc that we've donated? Genuine question. Don't get me wrong, I want to provide everything we reasonably can to Ukraine, but HMG then needs to fund ...

If the £3 bn is new investment rather than overspends, good. £1.9 bn for backfilling - Well, how much is the value of munitions, hardware, consumables etc that we've donated? Genuine question. Don't get me wrong, I want to provide everything we reasonably can to Ukraine, but HMG then needs to fund r...

So extra funds merely to cover overspends of the nuclear programme and to replace stocks given to Ukraine....pathetic

Just a tidbit that came out of a conversation at the Reform Club. Focus is shifting onto the turret numbers produced (more) with the umming and ahhing about chassis numbers being less of an issue. Read into that what you will (I took it as a CH3 turret on something like a K2 BP etc.). Can you elabo...

Tbenz wrote: ↑03 Mar 2023, 14:34 With regards to SSTD/Sonar 2170, I believe that all the MOD has ordered is three Fit-To-Receive kits, effectively meaning that just three of the five Type 31 will be FFBNW.

Ah, yes, but those other two are FFBNW Fit-To-Receive kits...you see

Ron5 wrote: ↑02 Mar 2023, 12:54 The UK needs more Navy F-35's a damn sight more than extra Typhoons. The fact they are also cheaper and superior is just icing on the cake.

Sorry, I was unclear. I meant the often touted additional order (48?) of Typhoons for Saudi Arabia. I agree on the F35B's, I'm still down with 24 by '24...

Wonder if this makes an additional order of Typhoons more or less likely?

wargame_insomniac wrote: ↑19 Feb 2023, 16:04 Another step closer to RN having 6 active SSN again, with Anson being 5th Astute (and Triumph as the last Trafalgar) in service.

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-bri ... irst-time/

Aren't we supposed to have 7 active SSN?

Typhoons not being sent until after the war has ended- according to media reports this evening

It will be even better when we are seeing 2 x (full) squadrons of F-35B on 1 x QEC. :arrow: Or better still 2 squadrons on each! :mrgreen: 24 in '24. Some of us have a bet on that - looking at you Mr drmefield :D I'll be happy to lose that bet! * terms and conditions apply - all 24 to be UK owned. ...

How useful is it and how many are we getting?

And in future would we need Gernman authorisation to donate or sell our Spike to a 3rd country being invaded by a hostile aggressor? You'd need the Israeli's who have done a total weapons embargo. Let's give it a miss then. Surprised Uncle Sam hasn't pressured Isreal to do the right thing yet

Far from an ideal solution I know but the quickest and easiest way to add a significant punch to the Ukrainian AF while politically smoothing the route to more advanced types. That was pretty much my rationale for the Tornados. A small set could be made available quickly and then (like UK agreeing ...

And in future would we need Gernman authorisation to donate or sell our Spike to a 3rd country being invaded by a hostile aggressor?

It makes practical sense in that the delivery of 24 boats across a 25-30 year cycle (4 SSBN and 12 SSGN for the RN and 8 SSN/SSGN for the RAN) represents a fairly efficient cycle for Barrow, does not cut across the capacity constraints at US yards, does not require the construction from scratch of ...

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/uk-mothballs-h135s-bought-to-replace-gazelle-helicopter-fleet/151941.article UK procurement officials are facing awkward questions over acquisition policy after it emerged that a fleet of Airbus Helicopters H135s purchased as replacements for the British Arm...

Do they have such a large supply of spares that a heavy RAS is needed? How many spares can they store on the carrier? If they get through those, can't extras be delivered via helicopter? Its everything required to keep a mobile airfield with 1600 personnel operational, the heavier each individual R...

Do they have such a large supply of spares that a heavy RAS is needed? How many spares can they store on the carrier? If they get through those, can't extras be delivered via helicopter?

From the article in experss Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told the Daily Express that talks were under way to provide more than 148 Challenger 3 tanks. Mr Wallace said: “We’ve gifted 14, I will replace those. I’ll also increase the number of Challenger 3s, subject to negotiations with contractors. ...

Makes no sense to cut something that isn't really costing anything at this stage....

How does Sweden signing an agreement with Japan fit in more broadly with UK and Italy?