Ocean Class Helicopter Carrier (LPH) (1998-2018) (ex RN)

[Ron5]

The sound of freedom

[GibMariner]

HMS Ocean departed this morning for the inaugural 'JEF (M)' deployment to the Med and beyond, HMS Bulwark expected to depart this evening:

[dmereifield]

I saw her in the Plymouth sound this morning, was escorted by a foreign vessel I think - was poor visibility so not sure, but wasn't a T23 or T45. Anyone know what it was? It looked a bit like an AB class destroyer to me...

[GibMariner]

I saw her in the Plymouth sound this morning, was escorted by a foreign vessel I think - was poor visibility so not sure, but wasn't a T23 or T45. Anyone know what it was? It looked a bit like an AB class destroyer to me...

QHM Plymouth lists a "Porter" operating out of Devonport this morning, could be USS Porter (DDG-78), stationed at NAVSTA Rota. German frigate Sachsen also operating out of Devonport, presumably FOST.

[GibMariner]

More on HMS Ocean's departure this morning:

[dmereifield]

I saw her in the Plymouth sound this morning, was escorted by a foreign vessel I think - was poor visibility so not sure, but wasn't a T23 or T45. Anyone know what it was? It looked a bit like an AB class destroyer to me...

QHM Plymouth lists a "Porter" operating out of Devonport this morning, could be USS Porter (DDG-78), stationed at NAVSTA Rota. German frigate Sachsen also operating out of Devonport, presumably FOST.

Thanks, looks like DDG-78 from the photos I've just seen online

[hovematlot]

Can Ocean stow Chinooks in the hanger? Their blades don't fold do they? I can't imagine the crabs would be too impressed having them ranged on the flight deck for 6 months!

[Ron5]

Deck "packed" with 2 Apache, 2 Merlin, & 2 Chinook.

I do hope more were in the hangar.

[617]

IMG_1426.JPG

The ship with Ocean was Porter. I know it's a terrible quality but this morning I managed to get a picture of USS Porter south of the Plymouth breakwater.

[hopper]

Also USNS Leroy Grumman (American Fleet Replenishment Oiler) was mentioned in the ships information saturday .

[abc123]

The chances of the RN getting any LHDs in the first half of the 21st Century are about the same as it getting a new class of Battleships armed with 15 inch guns. Albion and Bulwark are going to be in service at least as long as their predecessors Fearless and Intrepid, and even then the capability could be gapped saying the CVFs can put troops ashore. Add a huge dose of Political spin and half truths there we will have it.

Well, Bay-class will have to be replaced with something...

[abc123]

More on HMS Ocean's departure this morning:

She doesen't seem in too bad material condition, at least from outside...

[shark bait]

Albion and Bulwark are going to be in service at least as long as their predecessors Fearless and Intrepid

I hope they're not.

Albion and Bulwark are not the vessels the RN needs right now. I would go as far as saying its better to get rid of them and keep Ocean.

[abc123]

Albion and Bulwark are going to be in service at least as long as their predecessors Fearless and Intrepid

I hope they're not.

Albion and Bulwark are not the vessels the RN needs right now. I would go as far as saying its better to get rid of them and keep Ocean.

I didn't said that, but never mind. I agree that the RN would need more another Ocean/Mistral/JC than Albion-class ships.

[shark bait]

Apologies, a nested quote, I've it changed now.

We're a long way off getting a Mistral or JC, but in the interim Ocean and the Bays might be better. The cost of supporting those 2 huge vessels is significant.

[marktigger]

Albion and Bulwark are going to be in service at least as long as their predecessors Fearless and Intrepid

I hope they're not.

Albion and Bulwark are not the vessels the RN needs right now. I would go as far as saying its better to get rid of them and keep Ocean.

thats been the problem with the royal navy its the "Right now" that causes the issues the fleet has been built on "Right now" ideas for warfare and is now lost because the theorists and their concept of future wars have been shown to be wrong! and stepping down from high intensity warfighting to COIN has been a Monumental Mistake!

[shark bait]

yes stepping down from high intensity warfighting to COIN has been a mistake.

The amphibious issues aren't just a "right now" issue, its going to be a long standing issue because it doesn't look like we're able to properly resource a Carrier fleet and and Amphibious fleet. Those big Albions are massively resource intensive....

[marktigger]

yes stepping down from high intensity warfighting to COIN has been a mistake.

The amphibious issues aren't just a "right now" issue, its going to be a long standing issue because it doesn't look like we're able to properly resource a Carrier fleet and and Amphibious fleet. Those big Albions are massively resource intensive....

and Trident which will NEVER be used isn't resource intensive?

[GibMariner]

and Trident which will NEVER be used isn't resource intensive?

Trident is used every day.

[marktigger]

and Trident which will NEVER be used isn't resource intensive?

Trident is used every day.

Really they keep the detonations of Nuclear weapons very quiet then.

[shark bait]

you know thats not the point

[GibMariner]

Really they keep the detonations of Nuclear weapons very quiet then.

Don't be obtuse, you know what I meant. It's a deterrent that is in use every day. Anyway, this thread is getting off topic now.

[marktigger]

the point is we should be investing in the amphibious fleet and being realistic so the Nuclear Deterrent is to much of a drain on limited resources so should go.

[shark bait]

I agree we should be more selective about our capabilities, but the deterrent would have to stay it underwrites the entire security of the UK.

Back to the amphibious capabilities, I worry the equipment is no longer fit for purpose, it relies on civilian shipping, and is only suitable for an uncontested environment, which makes we wonder are specialist big expensive military platforms the correct choice?

[marktigger]

if you want to look at dependent on civilian shipping look at 82 and John Knotts defence review 3Cdo Brigade would have deployed to Norway on RoRo ferries and elements had to deploy to the falklands on ocean liners and roro ferries all bodged together. then look at the deployment to bosnia and the misuse of Argus which lead to HMS Ocean and one of the through deck cruisers being used as an LPH. And probably to the LPD(a).
The loss of ocean is a blow to the amphibious and the CVF's won't be as available as many theorists believe. But until the manpower issues in both RN & RFA is sorted out its fairly academic.