So batch three would need to be 13 then ??? Total Tosh!

Before you propose to initiate WWIII, do you not think it prudent to take into account our woeful lack of preparedness?

Kind of reminds me of the MB ejection seat issue a few years ago, where all but essential flying was stopped until the cause had been identified and rectified.

Building just two CVF’s was always going to be a STRATEGIC BLUNDER of the greatest magnitude. Did those responsible not pause to consider why 3 x Invincible class were deemed necessary (apart from just the over simplistic theoretical increase in individual platform capability)? Obviously this view h...

Sounds like corrosion prevention measures now need to be introduced (or improved) and adopted as a part of routine maintenance. Maybe this is something that needs to occur both when alongside AND/OR possibly at (suitable) intervals during deployments as well.

Jdam wrote:- BAE Systems gave Lockheed Martin the contract to equip the Type 26's in March 2018, 4 years before the ships even launched. Correction 4 years before the first ship launched. We have seen no additional foreign military sales requests and no contracts to LM for more Mk41, HMS Venturer i...

Perhaps he would have preferred it if there had been no T45 and therefore no vessels to update!

Good job we only have six of them to update then isn’t it!

OK, the solution would be for QNLZs AEW requirement to be met by NATO EWACS. It is in the NATO operational area after all.

PWLS AEW requirement could be met by the 4 x “Crowsnest” Merlins.

Tempest414 wrote:- Given the deployment area i.e the Gulf of Aden land based aew could cover from Oman but also under max effort 2 Merlin AEW could be on each carrier What land based AEW ? 2 x Merlin AEW would likely be insufficient for the task and with bare bones Merlin ASW on board, insufficient...

Ron5 wrote:-

Crowsnest? Why is this a question?

Perhaps you had not noticed, but Tempest414, in his suggested carrier deployments, sent Crowsnest Merlin’s on QNLZ to the Far North, and POW was to be deployed to the Red Sea with just 3-4 ASW Merlins AND NO CROWSNEST !!!

So how is AEW to be provided for PoW then ???

Tempest414 Wrote:- We don't have to double crew of even 1.5 any ship this in part is a down to not having enough ships we could go to a system of single crewing all ships and deploy them as we see fit So we could deploy 4 type 31's and 4 OPV's to the Indian Ocean with a view to have 2 of each at se...

SW1 Wrote:- The very point of having worked up escorts fwd deployed in key strategic positions is for contingency while they will do all the things the opv will they have the capacity to respond to a much broader ranger of maritime security tasks and to join coalition forces should a heightened sec...

Logical way to go about this, would be to remove the 5 x 57mm from the T31s and fit them to the RB2s, then fit a (simpler) 127mm Gun to each of the 5 x T31s. Improved deterrent effect across 2 x Classes of Ship.

????? What on Earth do people think the purpose of the MQ-9B on-board trials were for? ????? Do people really think that the gathered data would be free for publication? ????? We don’t know yet, but are there more trials to come? ????? Is equivalent information available for the F-35B? ????? Accepti...

Do not forget Singapore!

Tempest414
I did not put words into your mouth, so do have the common courtesy NOT to put either your? words, or the words of others into mine. Now, can we please return to the topic.

SW1 wrote:- My point of example was turning the other way through most of the 00s to Russian intimidation and annexation of bits of Georgia and Ukraine. Standing up to it earlier would have saved the destruction of Ukraine hundreds of thousands of lives. I know you are referring to Isreal and we ar...

“892” would be the next FAA squadron for me, at least. However I would be happy just to see 2 plus (FAA) front line Lightning squadrons before many more years go by.

Well below critical mass!

Not to mention the non-deployed resources (e.g. warships) and additional supply ships needed to maintain those deployed patrol groups.

Sounds about right, if not diverted!

Poiuytrewq Wrote:-

4) Fort Victoria is not available!

No doubt there are contingency plans and if not, “Heads should roll”.

Much could depend upon the stores that may already be embarked (or not).

1) Neither QNLZ or PWLS would be sailing at 15 knots, most likely their maximum sustained speed. 2) A 72 hour readiness period for PWLS would not be required, because it would be included within the transit time (unless the requirements, as at 3) were to be supplied via a USN naval base. 3) The majo...